XVI International Botanical Congess

Liede (1994, 1997) has circumscribed the Astephaninae as a subtribe of 15 Old World genera in the Asclepiadeae. As constituting synapomorphies sparse clear latex and non-verrucose trichomes on the adaxial corolla surface were named. Analysis of the ITS region and the trnL-trnF spacer has been performed for 10 Astephaninae genera, resulting in transfer of one genus (Schizostephanus Hochst.) to the Metastelmatinae and split of the remaining genera in two unrelated monophyletic groups at subtribal level.