Alcea guestii, a new record for the flora of Iran

The genus Alcea (Malvaceae) with around 70 species has its highest species diversity in SW Asia, especially in Iran. The current study introduces the rare species A. guestti as a new record for the flora of Iran. It is an almost well-defined species readily distinguished by its obviously thick textured leaves with dense prominent veins and serrate to serrate-dentate margins among the genus. Dwarf habit, an epicalyx with a length of more than 1/2 as long as the calyx, and dorsally deeply canaliculated yellowish-brown mericarps with long wings are also its other diagnostic traits. Its complete description, distribution map, and conservation status are presented. Also, micrographs of sections of leaf and stem as well the seeds of A. guestii using a scanning electron microscope are provided