Plants in the Restionaceae family, also called restiads, are often dominant elements of the flora in the Mediterranean climates of South Africa. Their presence as the dominant group in the Western Cape led to the this plant community being referred to as the Fynbos community.

A number of the African species have become popular as garden ornamentals in many parts of the world, some having an almost Bamboo-like habit both in their vigorous cane-like stems and their size.