A novel classification here of the sub-Saharan and Madagascan genus Aristea Aiton (Iridaceae), with ca. 57 species, recognizes three subgenera, Aristea subg. Aristea (18 species), Aristea subg. Eucapsulares (Goldblatt) Goldblatt [≡ Aristea sect. Eucapsulares Goldblatt] (ca. 30 species), and Aristea subg. Pseudaristea (Pax) Goldblatt [≡ Aristea sect. Pseudoaristea Pax] (nine species). This replaces a 1940 classification by Henning Weimarck, which included eight sections. In this updated classification, Aristea subg. Aristea includes three sections, and Aristea subg. Eucapsulares, two sections. A lectotype, A. spiralis (L. f.) Ker Gawl., is designated for Aristea sect. Pseudaristea Pax [≡ Aristea subg. Pseudoaristea (Pax) Goldblatt].