The genus Trichocephalus belongs to the family Rhamnaceae, and was described by A.T. Brongniart in 1826. There is only one species currently recognised. The genus Trichocephalus, was until recently, part of the genus Phylica. It was initially treated as a separate genus, then sunk into Phylica as a result of the 1942 revision by Pillans, and is currently regarded as having sufficient differences to justify it being placed in a separate genus. Its main differences from Phylica, aside from the genetic differences, are having stipules and pubescence on the ovary and nectar-secreting disc. Phylica is a large genus of about 180 species, and most of them are restricted to South Africa, and these species are also components of fynbos.

Trichocephalus stipularis commonly known as Dogface in English and Hondegesig in Afrikaans is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province. It is synonymously known as Phylica stipularis. Trichocephalus stipularis grows into a shrub of up to 1 meter tall. Its leaves have tiny stipules. From autumn to spring it bears white fluffy flowers which are followed by beautiful red seed capsules.