The taxonomy of the Australian representatives of Heliotropium (Boragi
naceae) is revised in the first comprehensive treatment of the genus f
or Australia since the publication in 1868 of Bentham's 'Flora Austral
iensis' account. Eighty-one species are recognised for the area, of wh
ich 78 are regarded as indigenous (75 endemic) with the remaining thre
e species believed to be of recent introduction. Of the 51 new names p
roposed, 50 are the result of the description of new species. The rema
ining new name is required due to a change in status. Biological aspec
ts briefly mentioned include breeding system and myrmecochory.