A synopsis of the African genus Lipotriche (Compositae: Heliantheae: Ecliptinae)

A synopsis of Lipotriche R. Br. (Compositae: Heliantheae: Ecliptinae) is provided, giving full synonymy, type citations and the location of known types, together with relevant notes and commentary, and the known distribution of each taxon. Twelve species are recognised, including five infraspecific taxa (including the relevant autonyms); ten new combinations are proposed in the genus, eight at specific level (Lipotriche elliptica, felicis, marlothiana, rhombifolia, richardsiae, robinsonii, scaberrima, tithonioides) and two at the subspecific level (Lipotriche pungens subsp. caudata, scandens subsp. madagascariensis), a number of which will be used in the forthcoming Flora Zambesiaca account of the genus. Second-step lectotypification of the name Wuerschmittia abyssinica Sch. Bip. ex Walp. is made. Melanthera angustifolia Gilli, a later homonym, is placed in the synonymy of Lipotriche scandens subsp. madagascariensis together with names based on M. scandens subsp. subsimplicifolia. The fate of one unpublished name in Part IV of Burtt Davy's A manual of the flowering plants and ferns of the Transvaal is discussed. Several historical errors are highlighted and corrected, and an index to names provided. Two of Vellozo's names in Buphthalmum are also added to the synonymy of the widespread Tilesia baccata.