Hesperantha is a cormous genus in the Iridaceae family with 79 species. Four are found in tropical Africa, 37 in summer-rainfall southern Africa, and 42 in winter-rainfall southern Africa. Many of the former are found in the eastern southern African Drakensberg in Kwa Zulu-Natal. Most plants are short, 15 to 20 cm. tall or less. A number of them open late in the afternoon or early evening and those are often very fragrant.

Hesperantha coccinea commonly known as Scarlet River Lily is a species from the summer rainfall area and is widely distributed through the eastern provinces of the country. The species name coccinea means ‘scarlet’ and refers to the bright red flowers produced by this species. Until fairly recently this species was known by its old name Schizostylis coccinea. It is a marvellous, water- loving, perennial bulbous plant. It occurs naturally in saturated soils on stream banks growing in full sun. Although the flowers are normally bright red, there are also pink and white forms. The flowers are borne in profusion in summer during the warm and wet months between December and April.