Pseudoselago is a genus of flowering plants in the family Scrophulariaceae, placed within the order Lamiales. It was established in 1995 by the botanist O.M. Hilliard, who segregated it from the closely related genus Selago — a split documented in the Edinburgh Journal of Botany (vol. 52, no. 3). Within Scrophulariaceae the genus belongs to tribe Limoselleae. The type species is Pseudoselago spuria (L.) Hilliard.
The genus is endemic to South Africa, where its approximately 27 described species are found. GBIF records 14 accepted descendants. Species in the genus are mostly small, shrubby or herbaceous plants producing clusters of small flowers, consistent with the broader morphological character of tribe Limoselleae. Familiar species include P. serrata, P. spuria, P. bella, and P. rapunculoides.
Etymology
The name Pseudoselago combines the Greek/Latin prefix pseudo- ("false") with Selago, the related genus from which these plants were separated. The name reflects the genus's close resemblance to Selago while marking it as a distinct lineage, as formalised by Hilliard in 1995.
Distribution
Pseudoselago is native to South Africa. Its species are concentrated in the South African Republic, with multiple species known from the Western Cape and surrounding montane regions (suggested by species epithets such as langebergensis, peninsulae, and outeniquensis).
Taxonomy Notes
Pseudoselago was described by O.M. Hilliard in 1995 (Edinburgh J. Bot. 52(3): 245) as a segregate of Selago, placed in tribe Limoselleae of Scrophulariaceae. The type species is Pseudoselago spuria (L.) Hilliard. GBIF recognises the genus as accepted with 14 descendants; Wikispecies lists 27 species epithets, reflecting ongoing taxonomic work.
