Fabaceae FAMILY Near Threatened

Cyclopia sessiliflora

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Cyclopia sessiliflora is a rigid, stout-growing, much-branched shrub. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for use as a tea. Known as honeybush tea, it is a very popular drink in S. Africa and is becoming more popular globally. This is one of the five most popular species in the genus used to make the tea and is harvested in quantity for local use and also for trade. Cyclopia sessiliflora is one of the top five species that are used for honey bush tea, and it is declining due to overharvesting. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern Africa - S. Africa (Western Cape)

HabitatFound in well-drained, loamy, sandy soils, at elevations from 300 -1,500 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].