A NEW SPECIES OF ASTRAGALUS SECTION DISSITIFLORI (FABACEAE) FROM IRAN; EVIDENCE FROM MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR DATA

Astragalus lignipes (Fabaceae), a new species of sect. Dissitiflori will be described here based on morphological and molecular data (ITS and matK sequences). Our Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Phylogenetic Inference analyses show that the new species is most closely related to A. aestimabilis, A. aucheri and A. xiphidium. It is characterized by long woody basal stems, chartaceous bracts and long pedicels. We provide information on the distribution and habitat of the new species with taxonomic notes about it and its sister taxa. We also assess the conservation status of the new species according to IUCN criteria as Critically Endangered.