The genus Chlorophytum is placed in the Anthericaceae family and comprises around 215 species found worldwide with the densest diversity in Africa and India. The genus name Chlorophytum is a combination of the two Greek words chloros, meaning green and phyton, meaning plant, i.e. green plant. The family Anthericaceae comprises 8 genera of which 2 occur in Africa, namely Anthericum and Chlorophytum. It can be difficult to distinguish between the genus Chlorophytum and the genus Trachyandra which belongs to the closely related family Asphodelaceae. A well-known species in the family Anthericaceae is Chlorophytum comosum (better known as hen-and-chickens’) which is also a popular garden plant.

Chlorophytum comosum is a South African indigenous perennial lily-like plant with tuberous roots, bearing spreading to recurved soft leaves from a central rosette and an elongated raceme with small white flowers. This is probably the most cultivated houseplant in the world. The plants have been used medicinally by the Nguni, especially for pregnant mothers and as a magical charm to protect the mother and child. The plant is placed in the room where the mother and child stay. The roots are dipped into a water bowl and mothers drink this daily as it is believed to protect the infant. The young baby is also administered an infusion, acting as a purgative. Plants are very popular in cultivation due to their drought-tolerance and their relatively disease- and pest-free nature. In South Africa they are grown as pot plants, in hanging baskets or as groundcover under trees. The hanging plantlets on the extended inflorescences are very decorative. The species is also very effective on steep embankments to combat soil erosion.