This genus of small white-flowered succulents from the aloe tribe was created (along with the resurrected Tulista) in 2013 to absorb related former members of Haworthia, presumably based on evidence from genetic studies. After a bit of subsequent adjustment, it included (as of 2016) 18 species in 7 sections, drawn from subgenus Hexangulares. The leaves tend to be covered with tubercles, at least on the lower surface.

This genus is nearly endemic to South Africa (some overlap into Namibia, Eswatini, and possibly Mozambique). It has the widest distribution of any of the Haworthioid genera. It is supposed to be closer to Gasteria (and Aristaloe, Astroloba, Gonialoe, and Tulista) than Haworthia, despite the differences in the flower. Presumably the relationships among members of this group will be clarified by further genetic studies.

Several of these plants are quite popular in cultivation (eg. H. attenuata, H. limifolia, H. reinwardtii) because of their affinity for container life, ability to tolerate lower light situations (for a succulent anyway), and tendency to offset over time.

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