Heliophila is a genus of flowering plants in the Brassicaceae family. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 species grow in South Africa, particularly the Cape Floristic Region, while a few extend into the Namib Desert. Heliophila is one of only two genera of Brassicaceae endemic to southern Africa. The majority of the species grow in the winter-rainfall Cape Floristic Region and the more arid Namaqualand, while a smaller portion extend to the rest of South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, and Lesotho.

Heliophila coronopifolia is a South African indigenous species found in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces that grows bushy and to about 60 cm tall. The smooth stems and soft, slender leaves are bright green. The blue flowers of this annual are arranged in little spikes at the top of the stems. The four petals of the flower open wide to display the white center with the pollen and stigma in the middle. The flowers are quick to close during cool weather and at night. The seedpods are long, splitting when the small brown seed are ripe.