Phylica is a genus of plants in the family Rhamnaceae. It contains about 150 species, the majority of which are restricted to South Africa, where they form part of the fynbos. A few species occur in other parts of southern Africa, and on islands including Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, Île Amsterdam, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha, and Gough Island. The genus name Phylica is based on the greek word phyllikos, which means leafy, referring to the densely leafy stems of most of the plants in this genus.

The narrow, pale green foliage and soft, rust coloured shoots make Phylica plumosa a highly distinctive small shrub with year-round appeal. The flowers are an added bonus, cream and buff and feathery, a flower arrangers dream, smothering the bush in late winter, a time when any flowers are welcome, let alone ones which are as handsome as these. Phylica plumosa enjoys well drained soils which are not too dry and lots of sunshine.