Dierama formosum is a perennial geophyte that is part of the Iridaceae family. The species is native to Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In South Africa, the plant has a range of 2 225 km<sup>2</sup> and is found on the Mpumalanga Highveld near Dullstroom and Lydenburg. In Zimbabwe, the plant occurs on the eastern highlands as well as in the Mulanje Massif in Malawi.