Rafnia amplexicaulis (L.) Thunb.

Erect, robust, much-branched woody shrub up to 2.5 m high 3 m wide. Leaves reniform to cordate, reticulately veined, embracing the stem; leaves on flowering branches opposite, 22-37(-42) x 24-44 mm; basal leaves 27-77 x 31-68(-88) mm. Inflorescences single-flowered. Flowers 12-17 mm long. Pedicel 4-6 mm long. Bract 0.2-0.7 mm long. Bracteoles absent. Calyx lobes short, broadly triangular, shorter than or as long as the tube, 2-4 mm long; upper lobes falcate, broader than the others; carinal lobe broadly triangular, sometimes slightly longer than the others; tube 3-6 mm long. Standard broadly ovate or broadly elliptic, (10-)13-16 x (13-)16-17(-21) mm, often with basal callosities; claw 3-6 mm long. Wings oblong-elliptic, 10-13 x 5-8 mm, with 6-7 rows of sculpturing; apex obtuse to broadly oblong; claw 4-6 mm long. Keel long-rostrate, strongly upcurved towards the apex, 9-11 x 5-7 mm; claw 4-6 mm long. Pistil with the ovary ± ovate, oblong; style shorter than or ± as long as the ovary, strongly upcurved; ovules 2-4. Pods obliquely lanceolate, 22-27 x 7-10 mm; upper margin proximally convex; lower margin straight. Seeds narrowly oblong to reniform, 4-6 x 2-4 mm; testa rough.

Coastal fynbos, sandveld or resnosterveld, on sand flats, foothills, gentle or steep, rocky mountain slopes, usually growing on both deep and shallow soils, dry sands and granitic soils.

The leaves are used for tea. The roots are used as a flavouring and sweetener.

Can be grown by seedlings.