First records of Centaurea hyalolepis Boiss. subsp. hyalolepis (Asteraceae, Cardueae-Centaureinae) in Tunisia

Botanical surveys within Tunisian territory undertaken during the last two decades led to the discovery of many scattered and extended populations of Centaurea hyalolepis subsp. hyalolepis (Centaurea sect. Calcitrapa, Asteraceae). A taxon, native in the east Mediterranean to Iran and Arabian Peninsula but widely naturalized in many european countries, here firstly reported for Tunisia. The plant seems to be well-established and takes part within ruderal/sub-nitrophilous vegetation, representing the first case of appointment/naturalization in Tunisia. Phenology of the species as well as original photographs are here provided.