Jeffrey (1968) revised the genus Echinops, as well as a number of other genera within the Cardueae (syn. Cynareae) found in tropical Africa, and provided a key to 20 species, one of which was given as E. sp. A. Two specimens from Tanzania were cited under this name. Jeffrey (I.c.) wrote then that "these specimens probably represent an undescribed species allied to E. aberdaricus R. E. Fries", and stated also that the status of these specimens "... may be definitely determined" when more material is collected. The tropical African species of Echinops were later studied in connection with studies on the Compositae flora of Ethiopia, and a revision of the genus as occurring in Ethiopia was also attempted (Mesfin T. 1988). During this time the specimens referred to as E. sp. A. as well as a number of other recent collections were more closely studied. It has therefore become possible to determine the status of these East African specimens and provide a description for a new and apparently widespread but little-collected species from the southern highlands of Tanzania and Mt Elgon in Uganda and Kenya.