Abstract
Cremanthodium acernuum has been previously placed in synonymy with C. smithianum. However, our examination of herbarium specimens and field expedition have shown that it is quite distinct from C. smithianum by its heads erect, ray florets white, leaf margins variously incised with acute teeth. Cathcartia smithiana, which is listed as the basionym of C. smithianum in Flora of China, is a different taxon belonging to the family Papaveraceae.