It belongs to the iris family Iridaceae with about 13 species endemic to Cape Province, South Africa.

All are perennials that grow during the wet winter season, flower in spring and survive underground as dormant corms over summer.

In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[2][3] Sparaxis tricolor has bright red flowers with yellow and black centres.

The genus name is derived from the Greek word sparasso, meaning "to tear", and alludes to the shape of the floral bracts.