Centaurea sehat-niakii, A New Name for C. deflexa Wagenitz (Asteraceae, Cardueae)

The genus Centaurea is considered as the fourth largest genus belonging to the Asteraceae family that includes ca. 600 species in the world. Due to taxonomic confusions, this genus has recently been divided into four genera: Centaurea s. str., Rhaponticoides, Psephellus, and Cyanus. This research is the result of the nomenclatural study of species of the genus Centaurea and the exact checking of its species with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. During this study, it was found that Centaurea deflexa Wagenitz (1974) is an illegitimate name as a later homonym of Centaurea deflexa Tat. in Wlangali (1856). So, the name Centaurea sehat-niakii Negaresh nom nov. is proposed here as a replacement name for Centaurea deflexa Wagenitz. In addition, taxonomic position and diagnostic morphological of this and closely related taxons are presented. Also, the relevant synonyms, type details, and habitats are given for C. sehat-niakii. Finally, an image of the lectotype is provided.