freesia is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1866 by christian friedrich ecklon (1886) and named after the german botanist and medical practitioner, friedrich freese (1795-1876). it is native to the eastern side of southern africa, from kenya south to south africa, most species being found in cape provinces. species of the former genus anomatheca are now included in "freesia". the plants commonly known as "freesias", with fragrant funnel-shaped flowers, are cultivated hybrids of a number of "freesia" species. some other species are also grown as ornamental plants.