Cleome maculata is a species of cleome that is native to southern Africa, where it occurs in sandy soils, especially in rocky habitats, and on slopes.

It is a mostly annual plant,[1] which is found in highveld regions of medium rainfall in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

[1] It is an erect and simple or branching plant, usually less than a foot tall, with sparse leaves.

Two of the up-curved, mauve flower petals have a yellow mark at their center, which is bordered with dark purple.

The long, up-curved stamens are tipped with bluish, knobby anthers.