According to Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach by Judd, et al. (2008), members of the Nolinaceae and Dracaenaceae are now included within the Ruscaceae. The latter family also includes Aspidistra (cast iron plant), Liriope (border grass) and Ophiopogon (mondo grass). Familiar genera such as Hyacinthus (hyacinth), Aspholelus (asphodel), Asparagus (asparagus), Allium (onion) and Iris (iris) belong to their own separate families, the Hyacinthaceae, Asphodelaceae, Asparagaceae, Alliaceae and Iridaceae. The latter family (Iridaceae) also includes the commonly cultivated Watsonia, Moraea (butterfly lily), Freesia (freesia), Sisyrinchium (blue-eyed grass), Crocus and Gladiolus. Amaryllis (naked lady) still belongs to the Amaryllidaceae and also includes many genera that were once placed in the Liliaceae, including Crinum, Hippeastrum (amaryllis), Hymenocallis (spider lily), Haemanthus (blood lily), and Narcissus (daffodil). Agapanthus (lily of-the-Nile), Hemerocallis (day lily) and Colchicum (autumn crocus) belong to their own families, the Agapanthaceae, Hemerocallidaceae and Colchicaceae. Lilium (lily), Tulipa (tulip), Calochortus (Mariposa lily) and Fritillaria (chocolate lily) are still included in the lily family (Liliaceae). Chlorogalum (soap lily) is now placed in the agave family (Agavaceae) with Agave, Yucca, Hesperocallis (desert lily) and Camassia (camas). Death camas and star lilies (Zigadenus) are now placed in the Melanthiaceae along with Veratrum (corn lily), Trillium (trillium) and Xerophyllum (bear grass) . The cormous genera Brodiaea (Brodiaea), Dichelostemma (blue dick), Bloomeria (golden stars) and Triteleia are now in the family Themidaceae. The genus Aloe, formerly of the Liliaceae, is now placed in the family Asphodelaceae, along with Kniphofia (red hot poker) and Haworthia. These drastic changes in plant classification described by Judd, et al. 2008 are based on chloroplast DNA (in part) and will be adopted by the new revised Jepson Flora of California.

From a purely morphological point of view, one of the most astonishing changes is the placement of members of the Nolinaceae and Dracaenaceae into the Ruscaceae. The type genus Ruscus includes a low-growing Eurasian shrub called butcher's broom (R. aculeata) that bears no resemblance to Nolina, Dracaena & Beaucarnea.