Psephellus gilanicus subsp. qazvinicus (Asteraceae, Cardueae), a new subspecies from Qazvin province, NW Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran

2 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan

10.22108/tbj.2026.148103.1332

Abstract

Psephellus, a genus of the tribe Cardueae in the family Asteraceae, comprises 114 currently accepted species. In Iran, the genus includes 14 species in eight sections, of which seven are endemic. For the taxonomic study of Psephellus sect. Psephelloidei (Boiss.) Wagenitz & Hellwig, extensive collections were conducted across its distribution area in northwestern Iran. Plant specimens were collected using conventional methods and identified based on reliable taxonomic sources. Moreover, numerous specimens deposited in different herbaria were examined. As a result, Psephellus gilanicus (Bornm.) Wagenitz subsp. qazvinicus Negaresh, a new subspecies of P. sect. Psephelloidei from Qazvin province, northwestern Iran, is described and illustrated. It resembles P. gilanicus subsp. gilanicus but differs from it in having a few-stemmed habit, the whole plant usually grayish, undivided median cauline leaves, straw-coloured or whitish-pale brown median and inner appendages, white flowers, and oblanceolate achenes ca. 7 × 3–3.5 mm, slightly covered with short hairs. The new taxon is notably characterized from other members of P. sect. Psephelloidei by its white flowers. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new subspecies and the closely related taxon is presented and mapped.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Taxonomy and Biosystematics

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 February 2026

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