Herbstia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Amaranthaceae.

[3] A sub-shrub,[4] which has bisexual flowers (bearing both male and female reproductive organs), disposed in 1 or several cymules (a small cyme) clustered in the leaf axils with the ovate.

was different to other Chamissoa plants in many ways including; habit, morphology, nature of the seed and fruit.

[5][8] The Latin specific epithet of brasiliana refers to Brazil, where the plant was originally found.

[2][5] The plant was originally called Banalia brasiliana Moq., which was first described and published in A.P.de Candolle, Prodr.