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 saundersiae is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. It is commonly known as Weeping Anthericum in English and Watergras in Afrikaans. Chlorophytum saundersiae is a popular garden plant and is used extensively by landscape gardeners. It has a pleasing grass-like appearance making it a good filler’ in flower beds. It is hardy and grows in groups or colonies. The plant flowers from October to March. Chlorophytum saundersiae is not medicinal and not poisonous. Pet owners may find that some cats like to eat the leaves for digestion.