Centaurea regia subsp. javanroudense, a new subspecies of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae), from flora of Iran

Abstract

Centaurea regia Boiss. subsp. javanroudense Ranjbar & Negaresh (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Zagros mountain in W Iran as a new taxon. It is a distinct species among the other Iranian species belonging to Centaurea sect. Cynaroides, which contains plants have often capitula solitary or synflorescences racemose, upper stem leaf decurrent, involucre subglobose with pink or yellow flowers. The new taxon is closely related to C. regia Boiss., but differs by its stem indumentums (hirsute articulate vs. arachnoid tomentose), median stem leaf shape (oblong or elliptic vs. broadly lanceolate or oblong), and outer appendage shape (broadly cordate vs. ovate).