Onopordum arenarium (Desf.) Pomel (Asteraceae), a Noteworthy Record from Egypt

Abstract

DURING the fieldwork in the Mediterranean coastal region in the north of Egypt, Onopordum arenarium (Desf.) Pomel was newly discovered. This exotic species is native to North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia). O. arenarium flowering specimens were gathered from the El-Salloum plateau and the Mediterranean coastal region in the Matrouh Governorate of Egypt, 60 km east of El-Salloum. The taxon was reported for the first time in Egypt, which makes a new addition and significant contribution to the flora of Egypt. The paper includes a taxonomic description, an updated nomenclature, a geographical distribution, occurrence in Egypt, field-colored photographs, a comparison with closely related species, and an updated dichotomous artificial key to the Onopordum species in Egypt.