Two new species of Echinops sect. Ritropsis (Asteraceae) from Turkey

Echinops antalyensis C. Vural and Echinops borae C. Vural (both in sect. Ritropsis) are described as new species from South Anatolia, Turkey. A revised diagnostic key of the species of Echinops sect. Ritropsis in Turkey is given. The morphological differences from the closely related species are discussed. An IUCN threat category for the two new species is proposed and observations on the ecology of the populations are provided. The geographical distributions of the new species are preseted.