The genus Dierama, placed in the Iridaceae family, is endemic to Africa and contains around 45 species distributed from the southern Cape in South Africa to the highlands of Ethiopia. Most are found in the eastern mountainous regions of Southern Africa. Its greatest diversity is found in KwaZulu-Natal, where about 26 species occur. The genus name Dierama is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning a funnel, referring to the shape of the flower. Dierama is an evergreen, mainly summer growing geophyte. It has long, narrow tough fibrous foliage and pendulous bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, magenta, mauve or maroon. It is recognized by its wiry, usually drooping spikes, and it can be quite dramatic in the garden. Common names include Angel’s Fishing Rod, Harebells, Fairybells, Wedding Bells, Fairy Fishing Rod and Wandflowers in English and Grasklokkies in Afrikaans.

Dierama formosum is a South African indigenous perennial. This species has a scattered distribution across the highland regions of southern Africa. In South Africa, it is confined to the Mpumalanga Highveld, particularly around Dullstroom and Lydenburg. Further north, it is found on the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and nearby areas in Mozambique, as well as on Mount Mulanje in Malawi. Growing to around 60cm tall, during spring and summer, it produces arches of stunning deep pink flowers.