Xiphotheca is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It includes 10 species of shrubs endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. They grow in fynbos (Mediterranean-climate shrubland), generally at medium or low elevations, and often species have highly localised ranges.[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:23831-1 Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 23 September 2023. The genus belongs to the subfamily Faboideae. The name of the genus is a compound of Ancient Greek (ksíphos), which means "sword", and (thēkē) which can mean "box" or "sheath"—a reference to the shape of the legume pods. Members of this genus can be distinguished by: "(1) the presence of bracteoles in most species; (2) the fusion of the bracts with the base of the pedicel; (3) the laterally compressed pods; and (4) the accumulation of anabasine as a major alkaloid."
Species Xiphotheca comprises the following species:
Section Congestae
Xiphotheca fruticosa (L.) A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk Xiphotheca guthriei (L. Bolus) A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk Xiphotheca lanceolata (E. Mey.) Eckl. & Zeyh. Xiphotheca reflexa (Thunb.) A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk
Section Xiphotheca Xiphotheca canescens (Thunb.) A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk Xiphotheca cordifolia A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk Xiphotheca elliptica (DC.) A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk Xiphotheca phylicoides A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk
Xiphotheca tecta (Thunb.) A. L. Schutte & B.-E. van Wyk
References