The genus Jamesbrittenia consists of about 83 species, native from Africa through to the Indian subcontinent, with 74 species occurring in southern Africa. It is placed in the Scrophulariaceae family. They are mostly shrubs, sub-shrubs, perennials or annual herbs, glandular and often aromatic.

Jamesbrittenia argentea is a South African endemic species from the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It grows into a straggling shrub of up to 1 meter tall. It has toothed leaves and white flowers with yellow throats all year round.