[2] It is widely distributed, occurring in southern Europe, most of Africa and the Middle East through to the Indian subcontinent.

[3][4] Dipcadi serotinum, from south-west Europe and north Africa, although sombre in colour, is sometimes cultivated by gardeners specializing in ornamental bulbous plants.

[5] The genus was named by Friedrich Kasimir Medikus in 1790, based on the species Linnaeus had called Hyacinthus serotinus.

[6] Along with three other genera, Albuca, Ornithogalum sensu lato and Pseudogaltonia, Dipcadi is placed in the tribe Ornithogaleae (or subfamily Ornithogaloideae by those who recognize the Scilloideae as the separate family Hyacinthaceae).

[7] As of March 2013[update], the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognized 41 species and one hybrid:[8]