Astragalus longifructus (Fabaceae), a New Species of Section Dissitiflori from Golestan Province, Iran

Zahra Alirezaei; Farrokh Ghahremaninejad; Ali Asghar Maassoumi

doi:10.3417/20261019

Zahra Alirezaei Kharazmi University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1654-9909
Farrokh Ghahremaninejad Kharazmi University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5860-9976
Ali Asghar Maassoumi Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0134-4986

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3417/20261019

Keywords: Astragalus, endemism, section Dissitiflori, Southwest Asia, taxonomy

Abstract

Astragalus longifructus Alirezaei, Maassoumi & F. Ghahrem. is described here as a new species from Golestan Province in northern Iran. Diagnostic characters include bifurcate hairs, free stipules, imparipinnate leaves, and the absence of bracteoles, supporting placement in Astragalus L. sect. Dissitiflori DC. The species is currently known only from the type locality. Morphologically, A. longifructus most closely resembles A. microcalycinus Širj. & Rech. f. (eastern Afghanistan) but differs in having markedly longer pods and longer stipules and leaflets. We provide an illustration of the plant habit, detailed photographs of the floral structures, a distribution map, and a comparative table distinguishing the new taxon from allied species.