| Aspalathus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Aspalathus linearis | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Crotalarieae |
| Genus: | Aspalathus L. (1753) |
| Species[1] | |
291; see text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Aspalathus is a genus offlowering plants in the familyFabaceae. The yellow flowers andspiny habit of some species have suggested a resemblance toUlex europaeus, the thorny "English gorse"[2] Accordingly, "Cape Gorse" has been proposed as a common name although the resemblance is largely superficial; for instance, gorse isthorny, whereasAspalathus species are variously spiny or unarmed. The genus belongs to the subfamilyFaboideae. There are over 270 species, mainly endemic to southwesternfynbos regions inSouth Africa, with over fifty occurring on theCape Peninsula alone.[2] The speciesAspalathus linearis is commercially important, being farmed as the source ofRooibos tea.[3]
Aspalathus species generally are shrubs or sometimes shrublets. They are normally bushy, however some species can grow sprawling or upright with branches that stand on their own. The flowers of most species are plentiful in season, a rich, showy yellow very common in theWestern Cape mountains in particular. The flowers of some yellow-flowering species (such asAspalathus cordata) turn bright red as they fade. Some species, such asAspalathus forbesii have white or cream flowers, and others, such asAspalathus costulata andAspalathus cordata have flowers in various shades ranging from pink to pale violet, whereasAspalathus nigra commonly has slate-blue flowers.[3]
Aspalathus leaves aresessile and are simple in some species, buttrifoliate in others. They commonly arefascicled. In some species they bear hard, sharp, spines at their tips. There are nostipules.[4]
Aspalathus species may be grouped into four categories for purposes of rough identification in the field. One group has undivided leaves, never tufted. This includesRooibos,Aspalathus linearis with its needle-like leaves, andAspalathus cordata with its stiff, neatlycordate leaves with their aggressively spiny tips, are typical examples. Another group has leaflets sharp, stiff, andacicular. Examples includeAspalathus astroites andAspalathus chenopoda.[3]
A third group has cylindrical, fleshy leaves, not spiny, for exampleAspalathus capitata andAspalathus pinguis, while members of the fourth group, such asAspalathus aspalathoides andAspalathus securifolia have more or less flat leaflets.[3]
The fruit ofAspalathus is a pod, and in the majority of species the ovary has two ovules that yield only one seed per pod.[2] However, some pods are several-seeded.[4]
Various species ofAspalathus have been used in traditional medicines and as "bush teas", includingAspalathus tenuifolia,[5] but it is difficult to know which sources to trust, because many specific names have been changed or confused in the past. Also, many uses were very local, and there was a good deal of confusion between different species, even sometimes with similargenera, such asCyclopia, some species of which yieldhoneybush tea.
Aspalathus comprises the following species:[6][7]
Data related toAspalathus at Wikispecies
Media related toAspalathus at Wikimedia Commons