Moraea neglecta is an erect perennial, growing just one quill-like leaf and an unbranched, rod-like flower stalk annually from its corm, reaching heights around 20 cm to 50 cm. The stem is sticky at its nodes.

The distribution of the species in the southwestern Cape lies between Nieuwoudtville and the Peninsula, eastwards to a little beyond Caledon. The habitat is sandy flats, usually in deep soil (Manning, 2007; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot).