Calicorema capitata (Moq.) Hook.F.

Rigid, much-branched, sparsely leafy subshrub, 0.5-1.5 m tall, with ± spreading lateral branches, very shortly white-woolly when young. Leaves confined to new growth, alternate, linear, 5-20 x 1-1.5 mm, succulent. Flowers few, in terminal capitate clusters, tepals densely white-silky on back, stamens purple.

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry locations and semi-desert. In southern Africa it grows from 400-1,500 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

The roots are fermented to make a beer. They are scraped clean, chopped then dried in the sun and with water and honey used to make a beer or wine.