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 modestum is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. It is commonly known as small chlorophytum and only reaches around 30cm in height. It has narrow soft leaves and from spring to autumn it bears shiny white flowers. This species is well suited to shady areas, being used as an indoor plant and pot culture and is also used as a magical protective charm by some African cultures.