The tribe Echieae of the subfamily Boragineae (Boraginaceae) is represented in southern Africa by the generaLobostemonLehm, andEchiostachysLevyns, endemic to the south‐western Cape region, and two species ofEchiumL.,E. plantagineumL. andE. vulgareL., both introduced weeds of cultivation. Pollen of all these genera was studied and only one pollen type is recognized. Grains are tricolporate, heteropolar and triangular in equatorial view; ora more or less circular and situated towards the broader pole; tectum reticulate with densely spaced lumina; suprateetal nodules are situated at margins of lumina. The P/E ratio varies from 1.08 to 1.63. Genera of the Echieae are sometimes placed in the tribe Lithospermeae. A comparison of the pollen of the studied genera with that ofLithospermum, confirms that the tribe Echieae should be retained. Pollen ofLithospermumis 6–8‐zonocolporate, usually more or less isopolar and with colpi rhombic in outline. The presence of zygomorphic flowers and absence of calciumcarbonate in the fruit wall also support the retention ofLobostemon, EchiostachysandEchiumin the Echieae. Pollen grain structure of the southern African Echieae reveals a close relationship between the genera and could support the merging ofLobostemonandEchiostachyswithEchium. LobostemonandEchiumcan, however, be separated on the position of an annulus.Echiumhas a minute collar or ring of 5–10 minute, sparingly hairy lobes, very close to the corolla base.LobostemonandEchiostachyshave densely hairy scales, tufts of hair, ridges or protuberances at or near the base of the filaments. Futhermore, the style is 2‐lobed inEchiumand simple inLobostemon.