The genus
Cynanthus was introduced in 1827 by the English zoologist
William Swainson. The name combines the
Ancient Greek κυανος/
kuanos meaning "dark-blue" with ανθος/
anthos meaning "blossom" or "flower". Swainson listed four species in his new genus but did not specify the
type. A 2014
molecular phylogenetic study by Jimmy McGuire and collaborators found that the genus
Cynanthus was
sister to the genus
Chlorostilbon containing the emeralds. ==Species==