Empodium is derived from the Greek em- meaning within and pous meaning foot referring to the underground ovary. The specific epithet elongatum refers to the long beak-like extension of the ovary. The species was described by Gert Nel in 1914 as Forbesia elongata and later transferred to Empodium.

Empodium is a small genus of eight species, endemic to southern Africa. The genus occurs in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, but is absent from Namibia and Botswana. Most species are found in the winter rainfall region of South Africa. Empodium is recognized by a combination of characters. These include a corm, linear to lanceolate leaves often pleated, inflorescence with a single flower, lacking bracts and with a solid tube (beak) between ovary and tepals, tepals yellow and free, ovary usually hidden in leaf sheaths, and unilocular and fruit an indehiscent capsule.

Empodium belongs in the Hypoxidaceae, a family better-known for Hypoxis (star-fower) and Rhodohypoxis (red stars). The genera Heliacme, Hypoxi, Hypoxidia, Molineria, Pauridia (includes Saniella and Spiloxene ), Curciligo and Sinocurciligo (recent addition) are also placed in the Hypoxidaceae.