The species is now known to be widespread from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern half of Northern Cape. It is also known from Swaziland and Lesotho and from a few records from southern Botswana.

There are about 20 species of Brunsvigia in South africa. This species is sometimes confused with B. natalensis (Dyer 1950, 1951). It appears that the two species may not be readily separable from each other. More data from the whole distribution range of the species is needed to critically re-assess its taxonomic status in relation to the other summer rainfall species.

Other summer rainfall species of Brunsvigia occurring in the eastern parts of South Africa are B. natalensis and B. grandiflora.

Brunsvigia natalensis (Natal candelabra flower) is usually a smaller plant with a smaller bulb and with narrower leaves, flat on the ground or erect, often with bright red flowers, and occurs in the same vicinity as B. radulosa. In Gauteng and Limpopo, a small form occurs on dolomite substrates and this was at one time thought to be a possible new species by Dyer. We have seen this plant usually in relatively moist soils near marshes or watercourses.

Brunsvigia grandiflora (giant candelabra flower) is a bigger plant, up to 800 mm high, 10-15 leaves, usually erect and undulating, with white to dark pink flowers. It is suspected that the similar B. undulata may prove to be a local form of B. grandiflora.