Brachysema is revised for the first time since Bentham's (1864) treatment in Flora Australiensis last century . In the meantime. B . sect . Leptosema has been segregated as a genus. and Brachysema as circumscribed more narrowly here includes 10 species. three of which are new . A new phylogenetic analysis of the species is used as a basis for dividing the genus into two sections . Taxa described as new are Brachysema minor. B. modestum. B. papilio and B. sect . Gastrocalyx. Cupulanthus is reduced to a taxonomic synonym of Brachysema . In addition. some names are reinstated to conform with the rules of nomenclature (B. celsianum). as a result of changes in genera (B. bracteolosum), and due to change in rank (B. melanopetalum).