Plants in the Ruschia genus are among the most striking, versatile and diverse of all succulents in the Mesembryanthemaceae family. The genus name Ruschia, was named in honour of a Namibian farmer by the name of Ernst Julius Rusch (1867-1957). The monotypic genus Ruschianthus was named to commemorate his son Ernst Franz Theodor Rusch (1897-1964). Ruschia is the largest genus in the mesemb family with about 216 species.

Ruschia staminodiosa, synonymously known as Mesembryanthemum staminodiosum is a South African endemic species found in the Western Cape province. It forms an erect shrublet growing to 15cm tall with trigonous leaves and solitary purplish flowers in spring.