Paranomus is a genus of 18 species of flowering plants, commonly known as "sceptres", in the protea family.

The species occur mainly in mountainous areas of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces from the Cederberg to Uitenhage, with the highest numbers found in the districts of Caledon, Worcester and Swellendam.

[1] The genus was named by English botanist Richard Anthony Salisbury from its unusual leaves, from the Greek para ("illegal" or "contrary"),[citation needed] and nomos ("custom" or "law").

It was subsequently renamed Nivenia by rival botanist Robert Brown to honour plant collector James Niven, but Salisbury's name has priority.

[1] All species are shrubs, though some can grow quite large; for example P. tomentosus may become, at up to 3 m (9.8 ft) high, a small tree.