Xiphotheca is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae.

It includes 10 species of shrubs endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.

They grow in fynbos (Mediterranean-climate shrubland), generally at medium or low elevations, and often species have highly localised ranges.

The name of the genus is a compound of Ancient Greek ξίφος (ksíphos), which means "sword", and θήκη (thēkē) which can mean "box" or "sheath"—a reference to the shape of the legume pods.

[1] Members of this genus can be distinguished by: "(1) the presence of bracteoles in most species; (2) the fusion of the bracts with the base of the pedicel; (3) the laterally compressed pods; and (4) the accumulation of anabasine as a major alkaloid.