Agapanthus

Six species, all endemic to southern Africa. Previously placed in the Agapanthaceae.

Allium

There are about 550 species worldwide, most of them occurring in the northern hemisphere. Allium dregeanum is the only species thought to be native to southern Africa although there is some doubt that it originates here. Allium triquetrum (Three-cornered leek) is naturalised in the region and an additional 12 species are cultivated, including leek, onion, shallot, chives and garlic. Previously in Alliaceae.

Amaryllis

Two species, endemic to the Northern Cape and Western Cape, within the winter-rainfall region.

Ammocharis

Seven species, native to sub-Saharan Africa, with six species native to southern Africa.

Apodolirion

Six species, all endemic to southern Africa.

Boophone

Two species, both native to southern Africa. Boophone disticha is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa.

Brunsvigia

Eighteen species, all endemic to southern Africa.

Clivia

Six species, all endemic to southern Africa.

Crinum

About 65 species worldwide, found mainly in the tropics, with 22 species native to southern Africa. An additional four exotic species are cultivated in the region.

Crossyne

Two species endemic to the winter-rainfall regions of the Western Cape and Northern Cape, in South Africa.

Cryptostephanus

Two species native to southern Africa.

Cyrtanthus

Fifty-one species are native to southern Africa and there is a further species (Cyrtanthus welwitschii) occurring further north, its distribution including Angola and Malawi. Bulb contains non-lethal haemolytic saponin and alkaloids, and causes vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten.

Gethyllis

Twenty-five species, endemic to southern Africa, occurring in semi-arid regions.

Haemanthus

Twenty-two species, endemic to southern Africa.

Hessea

Thirteen species, all endemic to southern Africa.

Namaquanula

Two species: Namaquanula bruce-bayeri and Namaquanula etesionamibensis.

Nerine

Bulbs contain poisonous alkaloids, but not usually enough to cause death if eaten. Twenty-four species, all endemic to southern Africa.

Pancratium

About 20 species, found in the Mediterranean region, southern Asia, the Canary Islands and Africa. Pancratium tenuifolium is the only species native to southern Africa, found in Namibia, Botswana and the Northern Province. In addition, Pancratium canariense from the Canary Islands, and Pancratium maritinum from the Mediterranean region, are cultivated in southern Africa.

Scadoxus

Nine species, native to Africa, with four species native to southern Africa. Bulbs can contain toxic alkaloids.

Strumaria

Twenty-seven species, endemic to southern Africa.

Tulbaghia

An African genus concentrated in southern Africa where 22 species have been recorded. Previously in Alliaceae.

Calostemma purpureum

Native to Australia.

Chlidanthus fragrans

Native to Peru.

Eucharis grandiflora (Amazon lily)

Native to Colombia.

Griffinia

An unidentified species recorded as being cultivated in southern Africa.

Hippeastrum

About 90 species and over 600 hybrids, native from Mexico to Argentina, and the Caribbean. Two species and one hybrid are cultivated in southern Africa.

Hymenocallis

Sixty-three species, native to tropical and subtropical South America, with four species cultivated in southern Africa.

Ipheion uniflorum

Native to Uruguay and Argentina. Previously in Alliaceae.

Leucojum aestivum (Summer snowdrop)

Native from Europe to the Caucasus. 

Leucocoryne ixioides (Glory of the sun)

Native to Chile. Previously in Alliaceae.

Lycoris radiata

Native to Japan.

Narcissus (daffodil genus)

About 27 species, native to Europe, North Africa and Asia, with five species cultivated in southern Africa.

Polianthes tuberosa (Tuberose)

Native to Mexico.

Sprekelia formosissima (Jacobean lily, Maltese cross)

Native to Mexico and Guatemala.