The Brunia family, Bruniaceae, consists of 12 genera and 77 species, endemic to South Africa and concentrated in the south-western Cape. The 12 genera include Audouinia, Berzelia, Brunia, Linconia, Lonchostoma, Mniothamnea, Nebelia, Pseudobaeckea, Raspalia, Staavia, Thamnea and Tittmannia. The genus Brunia is most likely named after a contemporary of Linnaeus, the apothecary, Dr Cornelis Brun, who travelled in Russia and the Levant, although it could also be in commemoration of Dr Alexander Brown, a ship’s surgeon and a collector who worked in the East Indies around 1690.

Brunia albiflora is a tall, slender, single-stemmed but well-branched fynbos shrub, reaching 2 to 3 m in height. The long, slender branches are densely leafy, with beautiful dark green foliage that resembles a pine tree, but is much softer. Brunia albiflora is a sought-after fresh or dry cut flower and is sold in the cut flower trade under the name Spray Brunia. Its foliage is a useful, long-lasting filler, and the knobby fruiting heads are an interesting feature in floral arrangements.