Systematics of Othonna (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae) in southern Africa: the O. cacalioides L.f., O. natalensis Sch.Bip., and O. osteospermoides DC. groups of species and the identity of O. frutescens L.

The largely southern African genus Othonna L. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae: Othonninae) is currently the subject of ongoing taxonomic investigations. Here we review the taxonomy of three small species-groups with radiate capitula. The O. cacalioides L.f. species-group comprises five species of dwarf succulents with tuber-like caudex and small capitula; the O. natalensis Sch.Bip. species-group includes two caespitose species from the summer-rainfall Drakensberg Escarpment; and the O. osteospermoides DC. species-group comprises three species of softly woody shrublets with large capitula. We provide descriptions, complete nomenclature and typification, illustrations and geographical distribution of the species. In addition we conclude that the name O. frutescens L. is not an illegitimate superfluous name for Cineraria othonnites L. as has been previously assumed by early authors. The only original material seems to be an illustration and we accordingly select this illustration as lectotype. This illustration matches Othonna coronopifolia L. and we accordingly reduce O. frutescens L. to synonymy under O. coronopifolia L. (c) 2025 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.