taxonID	type	description	language	source
03C487D875201B0503DDFDF7FCFCFCF0.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — IRAN. Prov. Kermanshah: Ravansar toward Javanroud, 2 – 3 km after Ravansar, fallow field, 34 ° 45 ′ 32.2 ″ N, 46 ° 37 ′ 54.3 ″ E, 1380 – 1400 m, 15 June 2017, Negaresh 325 (holotype KHAU!, isotype FUMH!, KHAU!).	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
03C487D875201B0503DDFDF7FCFCFCF0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Centaurea saeidii is related to C. amadanensis subsp. amadanensis, from which it differs mainly in its middle cauline leaves broadly oblanceolate (vs. broadly lanceolate, oblong to oblong-subpandurate), involucres subglobose, 35 – 40 × 35 – 40 mm (vs. ovoid or obconical, 25 – 35 × 22 – 30 mm), phyllaries tomentose (vs. floccose-tomentose), inner phyllaries 25 – 30 mm (vs. 12 – 18 mm) long, appendages brown, 2 – 3 mm wide at base (vs. straw-coloured, 1 – 2 mm wide at base), flowers purple, 46 – 48 mm long (vs. white, 38 – 40 mm long), peripheral florets numerous (ca. 15 in each capitulum) and conspicuous (vs. few (1 – 3 in each capitulum) and inconspicuous, achenes 8.5 – 9 mm (vs. 7 – 8 mm) long. Descriptions: — Biennial plants, with thick freshly taproot, whole plant usually green, 60 – 80 cm tall; collum neck with fibrous remnants of petioles from the previous year. Stem erect, usually simple, 10 – 12 mm in diam. at base, cylindrical, with thick yellow striations, densely leafy in the lower part, lower part with loose deciduous hirsute-articulate hairs (up to 2 mm long), median part loosely arachnoid with hirsute-articulate hairs, upper part with loose arachnoid hairs. Leaves rigid, papyraceous (on drying), sparsely covered with hirsute-articulate hairs, densely so on midrib and veins, up to 1.5 mm long, and glandular hairs. Basal leaves withered at anthesis. Lower cauline leaves simple, almost withered at anthesis, subcordate to broadly ovate, 20 – 30 × 12 – 13 cm, with a 6 – 10 cm long petiole, obtuse to subacute at apex, margin scabrous or cartilaginously denticulate. Median cauline leaves sessile, simple, broadly oblanceolate, 15 – 18 × 10 – 12 cm, winged or broadly decurrent, up to 60 mm along stem, acute at apex, margin scabrid, sometimes denticulate. Upper cauline leaves sessile, simple, lanceolate, 8 – 15 × 2.5 – 5 cm, loosely covered with arachnoid, sometimes mixed with scattered hirsute-articulate hairs, decurrent up to 20 mm along stem, acuminate at apex, margin smooth. Capitula several, 8 to 10, arranged in racemes, upper capitula on peduncles 3 – 10 cm long. Involucres subglobose, 35 – 40 × 35 – 40 mm. Phyllaries multiseriate, green in vivo, yellow-greenish in sicco, imbricate, coriaceous-scarious, densely tomentose hairs, with hyaline margins. Appendages rigid, concealing part of phyllaries only, spiniform or elongate triangular, entire, sometimes with 1 to 3 cilia, brown, 2 – 3 mm wide at base, not decurrent. Outer phyllaries ovate, 5 – 10 × 3 – 6 mm, appendages 3 – 10 mm long. Median phyllaries lanceolate, 15 – 30 × 8 – 15 mm, appendages 12 – 18 mm long. Inner phyllaries narrowly lanceolate or linear, 25 – 30 × 4 – 7 mm, appendages lacerate. Flowers purple; central florets hermaphroditic, 46 – 48 mm long, corolla ca. 18 mm long, 5 - lobed, lobes ca. 6 mm long, with brownish nerves, anthers pale purple, shorter than corolla, with apical appendages acute, stigma exserted from corolla up to 3 mm; peripheral florets sterile, finely dissected, not radiant, shortly than central ones, numerous (ca. 15 in each capitulum) and conspicuous, 5 - lobed, limb lobe filiform, lobes ca. 7 mm long. Achenes oblong, 8.5 – 9 mm long, 3.2 – 3.5 mm wide, smooth and shiny, whitish, rounded at apex, glabrescent; insertion areole lateral, ca. 1 mm long. Pappus persistent, multiseriate, scabrous, whitish, 14 – 16 mm long, bristles of inner rows very slightly longer than others.	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
03C487D875201B0503DDFDF7FCFCFCF0.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The specific epithet is given in honour of Dr. Hojjatollah Saeidi, who worked on various genera of the family Poaceae. Phenology: — Flowering from May to June and fruiting from June to July. Paratypes: — IRAN. Prov. Kermanshah: Ravansar, 2 km from Ravansar toward Kamyaran, 34 ° 43 ′ 55.7 ″ N, 46 ° 46 ′ 32 ″ E, 1345 m, 15 June 2017, Negaresh 324 (KHAU!, FUMH!).	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
03C487D875201B0503DDFDF7FCFCFCF0.taxon	description	Conservation status: — Centaurea saeidii is known only from the type locality. After detailed field investigations, no other population was found in the surrounding area. The only known population covers an area of ca. 1000 m 2 and consists of ca. 90 individuals. Possible threats include deterioration of habitats (erosion), the location near a human settlement and restricted distribution. According to the IUCN red list categories and criteria (IUCN 2012), C. saeidii should be considered ‘ Critically Endangered’ (CR) [criterion B 2 ab].	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
03C487D875201B0503DDFDF7FCFCFCF0.taxon	distribution	Distribution, habitat and ecology: — Centaurea saeidii is a rare endemic of Kermanshah Province, W Iran (Fig. 3). It is an Irano-Turanian element, and grows on roadsides and fallow fields, at elevations of 1300 – 1400 m (Fig. 1). In addition, some other plants that occurred in the area were Avena barbata subsp. barbata, Bromus tectorum, Centaurea behen, Centaurea solstitialis subsp. solstitialis, Cephalaria syriaca, Hordeum marinum, Marrubium vulgare, Onobrychis melanotricha, Phlomis persica, Pisum sativum, Salvia syriaca, Xerathemum longipapposum, Zoegea leptaurea. Relationships: — Centaurea saeidii belongs to C. sect. Cynaroides, which includes taxa with racemose or dichasial synflorescences, decurrent upper cauline leaves, ovoid to subglobose involucres, triangular to ovate or orbicular appendages, not decurrent, and usually ciliate and ending in a firm spine or spinule, and with pink, purple or yellow flowers (Negaresh & Rahiminejad 2018). It is similar to C. amadanensis subsp. amadanensis, from SW to W Iran and NE Iraq (Fig. 3), in the indumentum of leaves, shape of appendages, shape of achenes and status of pappus (Fig. 4), but differs in some important characters (see Table 1).	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
03C487D875271B0603DDFAD2FDBAF868.taxon	materials_examined	IRAN. Prov. Kermanshah: Kermanshah to Paveh, 5 km before Shahu city, 1545 m, 30 May 2012, Ranjbar & Negaresh 29934 (BASU!); Ranjbar & Negaresh 29935 (BASU!); Baghala Olya village, 1880 m, 19 May 2012, Ranjbar & Negaresh 29623 (BASU!). Prov. Kurdistan: Marivan, first road beginning Dezlei, 1295 m, 20 June 2012, Ranjbar & Negaresh 31738 (BASU!); Ranjbar & Negaresh 31739 (BASU!); 28 May 2014, Negaresh & Kamalnejad 127 (KHAU!); 5 km from Sarv Abad to Marivan, 1154 m, 28 May 2014, Negaresh & Kamalnejad 125 (KHAU!); Negaresh & Kamalnejad 126 (KHAU!); Negaresh & Kamalnejad 20129 (HUI!); Negaresh & Kamalnejad 20130 (HUI!); 5 km from Nodosheh toward Paveh, 883 m, 28 May 2014, Negaresh & Kamalnejad 129 (KHAU!). Prov. Lurestan: Sepid Dasht toward Khorram Abad, Zangolevar village, 1818 m, 28 May 2012, Ranjbar & Negaresh 30308 (BASU!); Bisheh waterfall, 50 km E Khorram Abad, 1200 – 1400 m, Rechinger 5680 (W!); Koeie 808 (C!); Koeie 809 (C!); 25 – 51 km SE Khorram Abad toward Sepid Dasht, 1200 – 1900 m, Rechinger 47801 (E!, W!); Koeie 807 (C!); toward Sepid Dasht, 6 km to Zangolevar village, 1948 m, 31 May 2014, Negaresh & Asadbegy 119 (KHAU!); Negaresh & Asadbegy 120 (KHAU!); Khorram Abad toward Sepid Dasht, 40 km to Sepid Dasht, 30 km to Bisheh waterfall, 1765 m, 31 May 2014, Negaresh & Asadbegy 121 (KHAU!); 18 km to Bisheh waterfall, 1950 m, 31 May 2014, Negaresh & Asadbegy 122 (KHAU!); Negaresh & Asadbegy 123 (KHAU!); Negaresh & Asadbegy 124 (KHAU!); Khorram Abad toward Sepid Dasht, 26 – 28 km to Bisheh waterfall, 1 km to Chenar Gerit village, 1820 – 1850 m, 31 May 2014, Negaresh & Asadbegy 45548 (FUMH!). Prov. Markazi: Baba Khuda Abad in Rasband Mountains, Strauss s. n. (B!). IRAQ. Prov. Sulaymaniyah: Gali Warta, 30 km NW to N Ranya, 950 m, Rawi et al. 28857 (K!); Bursorini Gorge, ca. 730 m, Emberger, Guest et al. 15485 (K!); Ouraman above Darimar, 1630 m, Gillett 11844 (K!); calcareous hill slope above Khormal, Hadač 5057 (PR!).	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
03C487D875261B0703DDFF5DFF5FFE20.taxon	materials_examined	IRAN. Prov. Ilam: Abdanan, Dinar kuh, 1100 – 1300 m, 29 April 2013, Ranjbar & Negaresh 33988 (BASU!); Ranjbar & Negaresh 33989 (BASU!); Abdanan, 7 km from Abdanan toward Dinar Kuh, 950 m, 12 April 2014, Negaresh & Asadbegy 131 (KHAU!); Negaresh & Asadbegy 155 (KHAU!); Abdanan toward Dinar Kuh, 10 km to Dinar Kuh, roadsides and hills, 1150 m, 12 April 2014, Negaresh & Asadbegy 20139 (HUI!); Abdanan toward Dinar Kuh, 10 – 12 km to Dinar Kuh, 1250 – 1300 m, 29 May 2015, 32 ° 57 ′ 11.98 ″ N, 47 ° 20 ′ 40.002 ″ E, Negaresh & Asadbegy 132 (KHAU!).	en	Negaresh, Kazem, Yousefi, Zohreh (2025): A new species of Centaurea sect. Cynaroides (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) from Iran. Phytotaxa 690 (2): 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.690.2.7
