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This paper deals with the Old World species of Eryngium L. which grow mostly in regions with a Mediterranean type climate. Two centers of diversity are visible: one in the Western Mediterranean (Iberian Peninsula, Morocco), and the other one in South-West Asia. Distribution maps are presented for several species from South-West Asia, which is probably the genus' most important center of diversity. A preliminary new classification of the genus Eryngium is presented, including a new combination (Eryngium subgenus Fruticosum (Wolff) Wörz stat. nov.). Both the species and the sectional diversity are conspicuously present in Turkey, where 9 of 14 sections occur. This sectional diversity decreases in an easterly direction towards Central Asia. Five Mediterranean species are much more closely related to some North American Eryngiums than to the other Old World ones. Not related to the American sections is Sect. Palmito H. Wolff, although its species bear grass-like leaves similar to some Eryngiums from South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]