What is "xiphotheca"

Xiphotheca is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the sub family Faboideae. The name of the genus is a compound of Ancient Greek (ksíphos), which means "sword", and (thēkē) which can mean "box" or "sheath"—a reference to the shape of the legume pods. Members of this genus can be distinguished by:

"(1) the presence of bracteoles in most species; (2) the fusion of the bracts with the base of the pedicel; (3) the laterally compressed pods; and (4) the accumulation of anabasine as a major alkaloid."