TWO NEW SPECIES OF COUSINIA CASS. SECT. PUGIONIFERAE BUNGE (ASTERACEAE, CARDUEAE), FROM EAST AND SOUTHEAST OF IRAN

Cousinia ghahremanii and C. longibracteata are described and illustrated as new species from southeast and east of Iran. These species belong to the sect. Pugioniferae Bunge based on the habit, shape of capitula and bracts, corolla color, decurrent leaves and subcorymbose synflorescence. The related species to C. ghahremanaii is C. calcitrapa var. calcitrapa which distinguishing characters of the two species are: number of flowers and bracts, size of capitula, length of corolla and shape of basal leaves. C. longibracteata based on morphological characters and geographical distribution is distinct from the other species of sect. Pugioniferae, but the closest species to it is C. macroptera which distinguish it by long cylindric bracts, length of corolla, number of flowers and bracts.