A taxonomic note on the Cephalaria sect. Atrocephalae (Caprifoliaceae) from Iran

Cephalaria kleinii Ranjbar & Z. Ranjbar sp. nova from Iran is described and illustrated. It is confined to Mazandaran province in northern Iran. The new species is closely related to C. kotschyi Boiss. & Hohen., but differs from it by its abaxial leaves colour, its basal leaves shape, dissection and petiole length, by the shape of apices of lateral and terminal segments of the cauline leaves, by the shape of apices of lateral and terminal segments of the upper leaves and by peduncle length. Furthermore, C. axillaris is resurrected and lectotypes are designated for C. axillaris and C. kotschyi for the first time.