Massonia depressa is widely distributed from Namaqualand to the Eastern Cape province. The deciduous shallow growing bulbs prefer stony areas where sometimes fairly large colonies are formed. The greenish-yellow to whitish flowers occur in autumn while the plants are in leaf.

The leaves are plain green or green with purplish-brown markings.

Cultivation is easy. The plants rest during the summer months when watering should be done sparingly. Propagation is by seed. The black seeds ripen within weeks after the bulbs stop flowering.

Massonia depressa near Oudtshoorn.