Notobubon, belonging to the Apiaceae family, were previously placed within the large predominantly Eurasian genus Peucedanum. However, recent studies of the African Peucedanum species revealed that they were not related to their supposed Eurasian relatives and were therefore separated into six African endemic genera, namely Afroligusticum, Afrosciadium, Cynorhiza, Lefebvrea, Nanobubon and Notobubon. The twelve currently recognized species of Notobubon can be distinguished from the previously mentioned African genera by their shrubby habit, permanent woody branches, evergreen leathery leaves and smaller fruit. The root of the name Notobubon reflects the fact that many of the species of this genus were once part of the genus Bubon. The Greek prefix “noto” means southern and alludes to the genus’s southern African origin.

Notobubon laevigatum, synonymously known as Bubon laevigatum, Dregea capensis var. angustifolia, Dregea capensis var. capensis, Dregea virgata, Ferula laevigata, Ifdregea capensis, Ifdregea virgata, Laserpitium capense, Peucedanum abbreviatum, Peucedanum camdebooense, Peucedanum capense, Peucedanum capense var. capense, Peucedanum capense var. lanceolatum, Peucedanum capense var. latifolium, Peucedanum laevigatum and Peucedanum virgatum, is a South African endemic species found in the Eastern Cape province.