Aspalathus is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. The yellow flowers and spiny habit of some species have suggested a resemblance to Ulex europaeus, the thorny “English gorse” Accordingly “Cape Gorse” has been proposed as a common name although the resemblance is largely superficial; for instance, gorse is thorny, whereas Aspalathus species are variously spiny or unarmed. The genus belongs to the sub family Faboideae. There are over 270 species, mainly endemic to south-eastern fynbos regions in South Africa, with over fifty occurring on the Cape Peninsula alone. The species Aspalathus linearis is commercially important, being farmed as the source of Rooibos tea.

Aspalathus callosa, synonymously known as Achyronia callosa or Paraspalathus callosa and commonly known as Honeybush Capegorse, is a South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province from the Cape Peninsula to Bredasdorp growing on lowland sandstone amongst fynbos. During spring it produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers that attract butterflies and birds to the garden.