Cyanella orchidiformis is a spring flower often seen in seasonally moist places in Namaqualand, from Citrusdal to Steinkopf.

Up to 40 cm tall, the racemes or sometimes much-branched panicles in strong-growing plants, present several open flowers simultaneously. The corollas are often only dark-coloured near the segment bases, maroon or mauve. The fragrant flowers bear a carnation scent (Manning, 2007; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).