Abstract: The present paper deals with the classification on the genus Boschniakia C. A. Mey. ex Bongard (Orobanchaceae). The taxonomic history of the genus Boschniakia, which was described by C. A. Meyer and A. H. G. Bongard based on the type species B. glabra [=B. rossica (Cham. et Schlecht.) Fedtsch.] in 1833, is reviewed. The genus Xylanche was separated by G. Beck (1890) from Boschniakia on the basis of its ebracteole flowers with 3 - 5-dentate or subentire calyx and 3 carpelled pistil. Having carefully studied the morphological characters of these taxa, however, the author finds that these characters are not reliable and quite variable in Boschniakia and Xylanche. The seed coat in B. rossica (Cham. et Schlecht.) Fedtsch. and X. himalaica (Hook. f. et Thoms.) G. Beck (=B. himalaica Hook. f. et Thoms.) under scanning electron microscope (SEM) were also examined. There exist striking differences not only in seed coat but in size and form, which can serve, in author's opinion, as characters for delimitating species.

Key words: Boschnniakia