This book presents a taxonomic account of the endemic genus Zyrphelis in South Africa, a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. The genus Gymnostephium is sunk under Zyrphelis and some taxa previously listed under Mairia moved to Zyrphelis.
Twenty-one species (total 35 taxa) are recognised. Zyrphelis ciliaris subsp. hirsuta is elevated to species level, Z. gracilis is reduced to varietal level under Z. fruticosa, Z. grauii is reduced to varietal level under Z. montana, Z. monticola is sunk under Z. microcephala subsp. microcephala. The following new subspecies and varieties are described: Z. decumbens var. grandis, Z. ecklonis subsp. longipedunculata, Z. foliosa var. glabra, Z. fruticosa var. pilosa, Z. lasiocarpa var. minor, Z. pilosella var. glandulifolia, and Z. taxifolia var. robusta. The following names are lectotypified here: Felicia monticola, Gymnostephium leve, Mairia foliosa, M. lasiocarpa and M. montana.
Keys to the species, subspecies and varieties, full descriptions of all the taxa, distribution maps and illustrations are provided.