Trachyandra is placed in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae. The name Trachyandra is derived from the Greek words, trachy, meaning rough, and andro, meaning male, and refers to the scabrid (hairy) filaments of the stamens. There are ± 55 species that mainly occur in southern Africa, particularly the Western Cape, but some species extend into tropical Africa as far as Somalia. They are mostly perennial bulbous plants.

Trachyandra falcata is a South African indigenous species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It is also found in Namibia. It was previously known as Anthericum drepanophyllum, Anthericum falcatum, Anthericum weissianum, Bulbine falcata and Chlorophytum drepanophyllum. Vernacular names include Bokkool, Hotnotskool and Veldkool. It grows to 60cm tall with flat leaves. From winter to spring it bears pale mauve flowers.