In the course of studies in the genus Drosanthemum, a population with 15 different designs of petal colouring was found, starting an extensive investigation in search of character sets allowing a species circumscription beyond flower colours. Results allow the recognition of D. speciosum, the type species of D. subg. Speciosa, and its neotypification, as well as the identification of D. pulchrum and D. edwardsiae, all three forming a group of almost smooth-leaved plants.