There are over 270 species, mainly endemic to southwestern fynbos regions in South Africa, with over fifty occurring on the Cape Peninsula alone.

[2] The species Aspalathus linearis is commercially important, being farmed as the source of Rooibos tea.

The flowers of most species are plentiful in season, a rich, showy yellow very common in the Western Cape mountains in particular.

The flowers of some yellow-flowering species (such as Aspalathus cordata) turn bright red as they fade.

[4] Aspalathus species may be grouped into four categories for purposes of rough identification in the field.