The Ornithogalum genus belongs to the Hyacinthaceae family. This genus has very many species but is practically unknown in cultivation except for the yellow and orange species. The genus has a number of striking species, small compact plants with rather large flowers, excellent for pot cultivation. The flowers of all have a silky texture that is very attractive.

Ornithogalum juncifolium is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and Western Cape Provinces. It was previously known by a number of synonyms including Ornithogalum brevifolium, Ornithogalum comptum, Ornithogalum epigeum, Ornithogalum griseum, Ornithogalum langebergense, Ornithogalum leptophyllum, Ornithogalum limosum, Ornithogalum lithopsoides, Ornithogalum oliganthum, Ornithogalum setifolium, Ornithogalum stenostachyum, Ornithogalum subulatum and Ornithogalum tenuipes. Vernacular names include Indlolothi Encane in Zulu. This summer growing species will grow to 15cm tall and in spring it bears white flowers with brown streaks.