Abstract
Puccinia species (rust fungi, Pucciniales, formerly Uredinales) occurring on Berkheya (syn. Stobaea) of Asteraceae are critically evaluated. Puccinia berkheyicola, P. stobaeae var. stobaeae and P. stobaeae var. woodii are recognized as valid species and varieties, while P. berkheyae is relegated to a synonym of P. stobaeae var. stobaeae. Lectotypes are selected for P. stobaeae var. stobaeae and P. stobaeae var. woodii. P. clanwilliamensis, P. garstfonteinii and P. monsfontium are proposed as new species for three rust fungi previously assigned to P. stobaeae; P. berkheyaephila is described as new on B. bipinnatifida. A key to the accepted species is presented.
I thank Alan R. Wood for material of P. berkheyaephila and helpful comments and corrections on the manuscript, the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for financing field stays in South Africa through the BIOTA research project, the Western and Northern Cape Nature Conservation boards for issuing collecting and export permits and the curators and directors of B, K, PREM and S for the loan of specimens.