Phylogenetic studies of Lessingia Cham. show that different corolla coloration (pink/white vs. yellow) diagnoses the two major clades of Lessingia sensu stricto. There are no taxonomic changes in the “pink/white group” but two taxa within the “yellow group,” recognized by Lane (1993) as L. glandulifera A. Gray and L. lemmonii A. Gray, are not monophyletic and have therefore been realigned to reflect natural lineages. The circumscription of L. lemmonii sensu Lane (1993) has been expanded and now includes the type specimen of L. glandulifera, a name that has priority over L. lemmonii. Plants included in a narrowed circumscription of L. glandulifera sensu Lane (1993) will now be recognized as L. pectinata Greene. Lessingia glandulifera A. Gray var. peirsonii (J. T. Howell) Markos and L. pectinata Greene var. tenuipes (J. T. Howell) Markos are new combinations.