[13] The genus Medeola was formerly associated with the lilioid genera Trillium and Paris, which are now placed in the tribe Paridae of the family Melanthiaceae in the order Liliales.

Armen Takhtajan separated Medeola from Trillium and Paris, and placed it in its own family, Medeolaceae, which he erected in 1987,[9] based on a description that had been published in 1879 by Sereno Watson.

[citation needed] The genera Medeola and Clintonia now constitute the tribe Medeoleae of the subfamily Lilioideae in the family Liliaceae, as narrowly defined in the APG IV system.

[citation needed] Molecular, morphological, embryological, and cytological evidence supports a sister relationship between Medeola and Clintonia.

[2] This plant produces a crisp, edible tuber that smells and tastes like garden cucumber;[15] it can be washed and eaten raw or cooked.