The water-blossom pea is one of the very attractive Western Cape coastal shrubs or small trees. It grows on sandstone slopes where water is plentiful in the extreme of the south-western Cape. It is a favourite garden plant in the winter rainfall area, best grown from seed. 

The calyptrata name is derived from the unique hood or sheath formed by the broad bracts over the flower bud (Manning, 2009; Bean and Johns, 2005).