Ferula Shehbaziana(Apiaceae), A New Species from Kurdistan, Iraq

Ferula shehbaziana (Apiaceae), a new species for Kurdistan Iraq, is described, and its distinguishing characters from nearest relatives are discussed. It is easily separated from F. oopoda by its non-sulcate stems, umbels with fewer rays (8–10 vs. 16–25), and considerably larger upper leaf vagina (8–15 vs. ca. 5 cm). It differs from F. macrocolea by the taller (2.5–3 vs. 0.3–0.6 m) and smooth (vs. sulcate) stems, 8–10 (vs. 3 or 4) principal umbel rays, and 4- or 5- (vs. 3)-ternate basal leaves.