Abstract
Iris ferdowsii is described and illustrated as a new species from Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in NE Iran. It is closely related to the rhizomatous bearded irises of I. sect. Regelia. The species of this section are distributed mainly in the east of Iran, Afghanistan, west of Pakistan and Middle Asia. Diagnostic morphological characters, and notes on distribution, habitat and conservation status of the new species are provided.