The genus Moraea belongs to the Iridaceae family and is a close relative of the genus Iris. It is accepted that it evolved independently from Iris itself, which is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, it is strictly an African genus extending from Nigeria and southern Ethiopia, into the African highlands down to the southern tip of Africa where winter rainfall is predominant. Many are indigenous to South Africa. It is in the winter rainfall area where one finds the highest concentration of Moraea species. They have long narrow basal leaves, sometimes only one per corm and large yellow, pink, orange, or bicolor flowers with six fairly equal tepals. The genus name is a tribute to the English botanist Robert Moore. Moraeas have iris-like flowers. They make good potted plants and are suitable rockery plants too. Most enjoy well-drained soil and full sun to flower best.

Moraea lazulina is a South African endemic species that is widespread in the Little Karoo where it is found on rocky sandstone ground and on limestone slopes. It has a solitary linear channeled leaf and large blue flowers with white nectar guides with each flower lasting a single day. It flowers in spring (September-October). It looks similar to Moraea exiliflora, but has larger flowers, always blue, with strongly reflexed tepals and is usually taller with a branched stem.