As part of a taxonomic revision of Urgineeae, combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples from a large range of its distribution, here we describe Austronea, a new genus from South Africa and southern Namibia. This genus is related to Fusifilum based on general inflorescence and flower morphology, but it differs from it by the leaves usually leathery and sometimes thickened; the capitate to subcorymbose raceme commonly nodding at early developing stages; the reddish to green-yellowish tepals, rarely white (see flower buds), which are usually connate at the base to form a distinct cup and patent free lobes, rarely tepals nearly free from the base; the filaments linear to lanceolate, smooth or rarely papillate below; and the ovary green to yellow-orange. These differences are also supported by our genetic studies (not shown) in which Fusifilum and Austronea form two well supported sister clades. Seven new species of Austronea are described from South Africa and Namibia and 11 new combinations in the genus are presented. An identification key is provided for all 18 accepted species in the new genus.

In the course of resolving the identity of plants usually named ‘Drimia indica’ from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, molecular and morphological data revealed the identity of more than one taxon carrying this name. Our studies support the establishment of a new urgineoid genus, Zingela gen. nov., to accommodate a species (Z. pooleyorum) collected and illustrated some 50 years ago, but never validly published. We here provide data on its morphology, ecology, and distribution.

As part of a taxonomic revision of tribe Urgineeae, and informed by morphological and phylogenetic evidence obtained in the last decade, we present 17 new combinations in Austronea, Indurgia, Schizobasis, Tenicroa, Thuranthos, Urgineopsis, and Vera-duthiea. These are for taxa recently described in Drimia sensu latissimo or otherwise named during the past century. We include type information for all considered taxa and designate lectotypes for Drimia pauciflora, Urginea salmonea and U. sebirii. We discuss recent analytic and synthetic approaches to taxonomic arrangements for the Urgineeae and reinforce the support of an analytic treatment that recognises several genera characterised by distinct syndromes of morphological characters, biogeography and molecular evidence.

In the frame of a taxonomic revision of Hyacinthaceae subfamily Urgineoideae (Asparagaceae tribe Urgineeae) combining morphological and genetic data from numerous samples across its whole range of distribution, we here present a taxonomic revision of Geschollia, a genus originally accepted as monotypic to include G. anomala. This genus was characterized by the single, synanthous, terete leaf; long racemose inflorescence; tepals connate for ca. 1 mm and reflexed at anthesis; spreading to patent stamens; and small polygonal seeds. Our morphological studies in combination with phylogenetic analyses evidence that Geschollia is indeed a strongly supported monophyletic group, which includes eight species matching most of the features cited above. In this context, we here describe five new species in this genus and accordingly expand the original characterization of Geschollia to accommodate these new taxa. Furthermore, two new combinations are presented for previously described species. An identification key is provided for all accepted species in the genus.

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