ACANTHOLIMON SAADII (PLUMBAGINACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM IRAN

Acantolimon saadii is described as a new species, the specimens of the new species have been collected from a locality in Fars province. The new species belongs to Acantholimon sect. Tragacanthina subsect. Stenostoma and is most closely related to Acantholimon karelinii, a species confined to N. and NW. of Iran and adjacent areas in Caucasus and Tuekey. The differences are in the length of calyx and bracteole characters. An identification key is prepared for the species of subsection Stenostoma to include the new species. Acantholimon saadii extends the distribution of the subsection Stenostoma from Kashan area as the southernmost distribution in Isfahan province to Fars province.