Centaurea lalica Negaresh sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Khuzestan Province, SW Iran. It morphologically resembles C. pabotii, but differs from it by having a perennial habit; larger basal and lower cauline leaves; lanceolate or lanceolate-linear upper cauline leaves; subglobose and larger involucres; phyllaries that are acute at apex or ending in a very short, deciduous mucro; yellow flowers; and smaller achenes.