THE GENUS BLEPHARISPERMUM (ASTERACEAE, HELIANTHEAE)

The palaeotropic genus Blepharispermum (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) is revised for the first time. Fifteen species from Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar, India, and Ceylon are recognized. Two new species are described, viz. B. arcuatum and B. canescens. Aspects of the systematic position and morphology of the genus are discussed. A hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships is presented by way of a cladistic analysis. A key to all species in the genus as well as typification, descriptions, drawings and distribution maps are supplied. Chromosome counts of two species are reported.