Astragalus orientopersicus, sp. nov. (Fabaceae), a new taxon from the Khorassan province (Iran)

Astragalus orientopersicus F.Ghahrem., Joharchi, Fereid. & Hoseini, sp. nov. (family Fabaceae, tribe Galegeae), with 14 to 16 leaflets, dense and many-flowered inflorescence, long peduncle, and tubular-inflated calyx with purplish parallel nerves, is described. It is endemic to Tandureh National Park, Khorassan provine, NE Iran. Morphological evidence (spiny habit, basifixed trichome, spiny rachis, paripinnate leaves, pedunculate racemes, cylindric calyx, inflated calyx in fruit, etc.) supports taxonomic placement in Astragalus section Hymenostegis Bunge. The species appears to be most closely related to A. austrokhorasanicus Podlech.