Pittocaulon, Telanthophora, and Villasenoria comprise a Mexican and Central American complex that was once treated as Senecio, sect. Terminales J. M. Greenm. The complex is revised using a suite of morphological characters derived from the Senecioneae characters list of C. Jeffrey, plus biogeographical and ecological data. The study confirms the utility of recognizing Pittocaulon and Telanthophora of Robinson & Brettell, and supports the erection of a new genus, Villasenoria. As with many segregates of Senecio, s.l., numerous species have imprecise boundaries, and the study addresses a practical scheme for distinguishing amomg them. Included is a justifiable way to treat the Telanthophora grandifolia assemblge, a variable and widespread entity with complicated nomenclature. Evolutionary relationships are explored through standard phylogenetic analyses.

Key words: biogeography, phyletics, Pittocaulon, Senecio, Senecioneae, Telanthophora, Villasenoria