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The history of the genus Caralluma is briefly outlined and characters of potential generic significance are discussed. 29 species of Caralluma — the ‘ango group’ and a few isolated southern African species — plus 2 species currently included in Stultitia are transferred to Pachycymbium. The species remaining are divided amongst four subgenera: Caralluma s. str. restricted to the ‘eucarallumas’, Urmalcala subgen. nov. and Boucerosia and Desmidorchis previously described as genera. The species are listed and several lectotypified. C. fulleri is transferred to Rhytidocaulon, two subspecies raised to full species (Caralluma edwardsiae and Pachycymbium laticoronum) and two new species described: Caralluma longiflora and Pachycymbium laikipiense.

A synopsis is given of the species of Sedum recorded from Ethiopia, together with a key for their identification. Seven species are reliably recorded, of which three, S. baleensis M. Gilbert, S. mooneyi M. Gilbert and S. glomerifolium M. Gilbert, are described as new. The status of two further species is queried.

The species of Stapelia listed by Forsskal are reviewed. Caralluma quadrangula and C. subulata are lectotypified.

A new species of Euphorbia from southern Ethiopia, E. gymnocalycioides, is described. A history of the specimens cited is given, together with topographical details. Its relationship with E. turbiniformis, and of both species with section Euphorbia of the genus, are discussed. The homology of strange structures in the tubercle axils is suggested.