A taxonomic review of Rhaponticoides in Iran is based on morphological characters of the specimens from the authors’ expeditions and other herbarium collections. Rhaponticoides lachnopus, R. schmidii, R. sect.Iranicae and R. sect.Ruthenicae are proposed as new combinations. Full description for the genus Rhaponticoides and R. sect.Iranicae and R. sect.Ruthenicae are presented for the first time here. Three names, R. lachnopus, R. ruthenica and its synonym, are typified. A synopsis with recognized sections and species, relevant synonyms, type citations, lists of specimens examined and an identification key are provided for the genus Rhaponticoides in Iran. In addition, some notes about ecology and habitat of Rhaponticoides especially in Iran are given. Finally, the geographical distribution of all the 4 species recognized in Iran is presented and mapped.
