A new record of generic vascular plant for the flora of Saudi Arabia: Aspilia kotschyi (Asteraceae)

Abstract

The paper presents Aspilia kotschyi (Sch.Bip. ex Hochst.) Oliv. (Asteraceae), a newly recorded genus of vascular plants, during the fieldwork in Fayfa region in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia. Flora books and scientific research papers dealing with the flora of Saudi Arabia have not mentioned any species of Aspilia genus. The taxon was found for the first time in Saudi Arabia, which makes a new addition and significant contribution to the flora of Saudi Arabia. The plant was seen near cultivated terraces and collected in September and October 2020 from Fayfa mountains, Jazan province, Southwest of Saudi Arabia. Morphological description, taxonomic remarks, distribution map, plant illustration, and plant photographs are provided.