The genus <i>Buglossoides</i> (Boraginaceae) in southern Africa

Abstract

The genus Buglossoides Moench, a member of the family Boraginaceae. subfamily Boraginoideae. tribe Lithospermeae. is revised tor the Flora of southern Africa (FSA) region. Buglossoides comprises about seven species of annual, biennial or perennial herbs and subshrubs native to Asia, southern Europe and northern Africa. B. arvensis (L.) I.M Johnst.. a naturalized weed in many parts of the world, is the only member of the genus represented in the flora of southern Africa, presumably introduced with imported cereal seed. Although the similar polyaperturate pollen grains of Buglossoides and Lithospermum support the view that they are congeneric, they are retained as separate entities here. Diagnostic characters, a full description, various illustrations and a distribution map of B. arvensis in southern Africa are given.

Keywords

• Boraginaceae. Boraginoideae. <i>Buglossoides</i> Moench
• Lithospermeae. nutlets
• pollen
• southern Africa
• taxonomy