A new species of Rhaponticoides Vaill., Rhaponticoides aytachii Y. Baǧci, Doǧu & Dinç sp. nov. collected by the authors from south Anatolia, is described and illustrated. The new species is restricted to deprived Quercus forest openness around Dumlugöze-Sariveliler (C4 Karaman). Diagnostic morphological characters from R amplifolia (Boiss. & Heldr.) M. V. Agab. & Greuter are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species is also presented. © The Authors. Journal compilation.