Muraltia

Muraltia is a genus of plants in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae) which is native to Southern and Eastern Africa. Most of the species are endemic to South Africa, and one species is naturalized in Australia. It is named after Johannes von Muralt, a Swiss botanist and surgeon.

In 2006 the genus Nylandtia, which contained two species, was merged into Muraltia. The two species formerly part of Nylandtia are Muraltia scoparia and Muraltia spinosa. Nylandtia are commonly known as "Tortoise berry" plants ("skilpadbessie"). This is because of the bright edible berries that they produce, which are relished by the tortoise species of the fynbos.

Description
Muraltia are perennial, ericoid shrublets or shrubs. Their small flowers and sessile or have short stalks. usually have 3 petals and 5 sepals which are usually subequal. Their fruits contain 2 seeds. Their capsules are flat, membranous, and usually 4-horned. Its seeds are pubescent.

Species
As of July 2020, there are 118 accepted Muraltia species:


 * Muraltia acerosa
 * Muraltia acicularis
 * Muraltia acipetala
 * Muraltia aciphylla
 * Muraltia alba
 * Muraltia alopecuroides
 * Muraltia alticola
 * Muraltia angulosa
 * Muraltia angustiflora
 * Muraltia arachnoidea
 * Muraltia aspalatha
 * Muraltia aspalathoides
 * Muraltia asparagifolia
 * Muraltia barkerae
 * Muraltia bolusii
 * Muraltia bondii
 * Muraltia brachyceras
 * Muraltia brachypetala
 * Muraltia caledonensis
 * Muraltia calycina
 * Muraltia capensis
 * Muraltia carnosa
 * Muraltia chamaepitys
 * Muraltia ciliaris
 * Muraltia cliffortiifolia
 * Muraltia collina
 * Muraltia commutata
 * Muraltia comptonii
 * Muraltia concava
 * Muraltia crassifolia
 * Muraltia curvipetala
 * Muraltia cuspifolia
 * Muraltia cyclolopha
 * Muraltia decipiens
 * Muraltia demissa
 * Muraltia depressa
 * Muraltia diabolica
 * Muraltia dispersa
 * Muraltia divaricata
 * Muraltia dumosa
 * Muraltia elsieae
 * Muraltia empetroides
 * Muraltia empleuridioides
 * Muraltia ericifolia
 * Muraltia ericoides
 * Muraltia ferox
 * Muraltia filiformis
 * Muraltia flanaganii
 * Muraltia gillettiae
 * Muraltia guthriei
 * Muraltia harveyana
 * Muraltia heisteria
 * Muraltia hirsuta
 * Muraltia horrida
 * Muraltia hyssopifolia
 * Muraltia juniperifolia
 * Muraltia karroica
 * Muraltia knysnaensis
 * Muraltia lancifolia
 * Muraltia langebergensis
 * Muraltia leptorhiza
 * Muraltia lewisiae
 * Muraltia lignosa
 * Muraltia longicuspis
 * Muraltia macowanii
 * Muraltia macrocarpa
 * Muraltia macroceras
 * Muraltia macropetala
 * Muraltia minuta
 * Muraltia mitior
 * Muraltia mixta
 * Muraltia montana
 * Muraltia muirii
 * Muraltia muraltioides
 * Muraltia mutabilis
 * Muraltia namaquensis
 * Muraltia obovata
 * Muraltia occidentalis
 * Muraltia ononidifolia
 * Muraltia orbicularis
 * Muraltia origanoides
 * Muraltia oxysepala
 * Muraltia pageae
 * Muraltia paludosa
 * Muraltia pappeana
 * Muraltia pauciflora
 * Muraltia pillansii
 * Muraltia plumosa
 * Muraltia polyphylla
 * Muraltia pottebergensis
 * Muraltia pubescens
 * Muraltia pungens
 * Muraltia rara
 * Muraltia rhamnoides
 * Muraltia rigida
 * Muraltia rosmarinifolia
 * Muraltia rubeacea
 * Muraltia salsolacea
 * Muraltia satureioides
 * Muraltia saxicola
 * Muraltia schlechteri
 * Muraltia scoparia Goldblatt & Manning
 * Muraltia serpylloides
 * Muraltia serrata
 * Muraltia spicata
 * Muraltia spinosa Dumort.
 * Muraltia splendens
 * Muraltia squarrosa
 * Muraltia stenophylla
 * Muraltia stipulacea
 * Muraltia tenuifolia
 * Muraltia thunbergii
 * Muraltia thymifolia
 * Muraltia trinervia
 * Muraltia vulnerans
 * Muraltia vulpina