Abstract
Summary. The genus Endostemon N.E.Br., widespread in tropical Africa and with one species in India, is revised and 18 species, placed in 4 sections, are recognized. One new species, Endostemon albus A. J. Paton, Harley & M. M. Harley, and two new sections, sects Oblongi Ayob. ex A. J. Paton, Harley & M. M. Harley & Leucosphaeri A. J. Paton, Harley & M. M. Harley are described. Endostemon leucosphaerus (Briq.) A. J. Paton, Harley & M. M. Harley is transferred into Endostemon from Erythrochlamys Briq. The circumscription of Endostemon is discussed and the morphological and palynological differences between Endostemon and related genera are illustrated. Endostemon can be distinguished from related genera by its short, villous anthers which are attached to the corolla just below the throat, a small shield-like swelling near the base of the style just above the nutlets and by the pollen having short colpi and alternately wide and narrow mesocolpia. The phytogeography of the genus is discussed. There are two centres of diversity, Angola and the Somalia-Masai region, each having different components.
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