Muraltia is a genus of approximately 119 accepted species of perennial shrublets and shrubs in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae), placed within the order Fabales. The genus is native to Southern and Eastern Africa, with the great majority of species endemic to South Africa, where many inhabit the fynbos biome; one species has become naturalized in Australia.
Plants in the genus are typically ericoid — low-growing shrubs with small, heath-like leaves — and bear small flowers that are sessile or carried on short stalks. Each flower generally has 3 petals and 5 subequal sepals. The fruit is a flat, membranous capsule, usually 4-horned and containing 2 pubescent seeds.
The genus is named after Johannes von Muralt (1645–1733), a Swiss botanist and surgeon. In 2006 the previously separate genus Nylandtia, comprising two species, was merged into Muraltia. Those two species — Muraltia scoparia and Muraltia spinosa — were formerly known as "Tortoise berry" or "skilpadbessie" in Afrikaans, a reference to the bright, edible berries that are a favored food of tortoise species native to the fynbos.
Etymology
The genus Muraltia is named after Johannes von Muralt (1645–1733), a Swiss botanist and surgeon. The common name "Tortoise berry" (Afrikaans: skilpadbessie), applied to the former genus Nylandtia now merged into Muraltia, refers to the bright edible berries consumed by fynbos tortoise species.
Distribution
Muraltia is native to Southern and Eastern Africa. The overwhelming majority of its roughly 119 species are endemic to South Africa, with the genus strongly associated with the fynbos biome of the Western Cape. One species has become naturalized in Australia.
Taxonomy Notes
Muraltia was expanded in 2006 when the genus Nylandtia — previously treated as a separate genus of two species — was merged into it. The two species formerly classified as Nylandtia, now Muraltia scoparia and Muraltia spinosa, had been distinguished by their fleshy, edible berries. GBIF records 128 infraspecific and species-level taxa within the genus; Wikipedia notes 119 accepted species as of November 2025.
