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The Afro-Asiatic genus Echiochilon Desf. (Boraginaceae) is revised and 14 species are recognized. The two monotypic genera Ogastemma Brummitt and Sericostoma Stocks ex Wight (Boraginaceae), earlier suggested to be close relatives of Echiochilon, are also revised to evaluate their distinction from the genus Echiochilon. There is no support for including any of the two monotypic genera in Echiochilon. Morphological aspects of the three genera are discussed. Three new species are described: E. baricum Lonn sp. nov. and E, cyananthum Lonn sp. nov, from northern Somalia, and E. callianthum Lonn sp. nov, from Arabia. A key, descriptions, pictures and distribution maps are provided for all species of Echiochilon, and descriptions and distribution maps are provided also for Ogastemma and Sericostoma. Several lectotypes are selected and several names are placed in synonymy. (C) 1999 the Linnean Society of London.