Aspalathus linearis (Burm.F.) R.Dahlgren

An erect, ascending or decumbent shrub or shrublet, from quite low to ±2 m tall. Young branches often reddish, subterete or slightly sulcate, glabrous or, especially the youngest part, shortly white-tomentulose. Leaves linear-piniform, 15-60 mm long, 0.4 to more than 1 mm thick, subterete or very slightly flattened, glabrous or sparsely appressed-puberulous, acute or acuminate, straight, in some forms turning red or ferruginous and aromatic when dried; basal pulvinate part 0.4-1.2 mm; leaf base below this rarely with lateral teeth less than 0.5 mm long. Flowers solitary or up to 10 in corymbs (racemes) on branch tips, rarely solitary or in pairs on axillary short-shoots. Bract triangular or subulate, 0.3-1.5 mm long. Pedicel 1.5-4 mm long, puberulous. Bracteoles 0.2-0.8 mm long. Calyx glabrous or puberulous; lobes triangular-subulate, 1-2.5 mm long, acute. Petals pale to bright yellow or partly purple or violet. Standard blade ovate, 4.5-6.5(-7.5) x 4.0-5.5 mm, acute or obtuse, short-sericeous on at least half of back. Wing blades usually 3-5 x 1.2-2 mm. Keel blades 4-5.5 x 2.5-3.3 mm, apex obtuse (rarely with a tooth-like point); some pubescence at least present on leaf parts. Pistil sericeous on ovary and style base; ovules 2(-4); stigma regular, capitate. Pod lanceolate, 12-17 x 3.3-4.2 mm.

It grows in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It suits cold wet winters and hot dry summers. It grows in areas with a rainfall of 300-350 mm per year. It can tolerate frost.

The leaves are used for tea. They are low tannin and caffeine-free. It can be drunk hot or cold and sweetened or not. It is used as a base for soups, sauces, punch or baked goods.

The plants are grown from seed. The seed need treatment before they will grow. The seedlings are transplanted into deep, acidic sandy soil.