TEE GENUS GYELOPIA. VENT. 
Ps JOUN HOEMEYR and HK. P. PHILLIPS M.A. D5c., BLS. 
Division of Botany, Pretoria. 
THE genus Cyclopia was founded by Ventenat in 1808. Two years later a plant, now 
known as Cyclopia genistoides, was figured i in the Botanical Magazine, t. 1259, and described 
as the tvpe of a new genus, viz. Ibbetsonia. In 1825 the genus (/yclopia was dealt with 
in De Candolle's * Prodromus ” (Vol. IH, p. 101), and three species described, and it was 
not until 1861 that Harvey revised the genus in the “ Flora Capensis ” (Vol. 1, p. 6). Since 
Harvey's account nothing has been written on the genus, but in the interval nich material 
has accumulated in local herbaria which extends our knowledge of the species. 
Several species of ('yclopic have become of some commercial value locally as the source 
of ` bush tea,’ and it was with the object of clearly defining the known species as a 
foundation on which any future experimental work might be based that this revision of the 
genus was undertaken. 
Harvey in the “ Flora Capensis ”’ recognized nine species, but our examination of all 
the available local material has led us to subdivide the genus into twelve very distinct 
species. The species are all shrubs with ternate, very often revolute leaves, and yellow 
flowers. They are mostly confined to the Western Province and the south-eastern regions, 
but one species extends as far as Port Elizabeth. According to observations made by 
Forest Officers, most of the species grew well in all situations and soils, except on stiff 
clayey soils. The cultivation of the species used as “ bush teas ” should be experimented 
with, and should not prove difficult, though the young seedlings may require some shelter 
until firmly established. 
The method at present used for preparing * "bush teas '' for local consumption is to heat 
the leaves in an oven for about an hour to produce “ sweating,” after which they are dried 
in the sun. When thoroughly dry the leaves and smaller twigs are removed from the 
stem and larger branches, packed, and sold under various names. If the demand for 
“ bush tea ” is sufficiently great, cultivation trials will be justified, as it may then be possible 
to put a superior article on the local market. 
Our thanks are due to the Curators of the Albany Museum Herbarium, the Cape 
Government Herbarium, the Transvaal Museum Herbarium, and the Forest Department 
for allowing us to examine the material in their respective herbaria. 
C. gemstoides. The District Forest Officer, Elgin, Caledon District, reports: `` This 
species grows on the slopes of mountains and hills, and is found in fairly large quantities 
on the Groenland Range, near Elgin. It grows to approximately 2 2 ft. n height. The leaves 
and flowers are sun-dried,” Known as “ honey tea.” 
C. tenuifolia. The District Forest Officers, Elgin, Caledon District, reports: “This 
species is not unlike the ` Loney tea’ (C. genistoides) ; the flowers are similar in colour 
and appearance, but the leaves are finer and longer. It is sun-dried before being used, 
and has a stronger flavour.” Known as “ vlei tea.” 
