A new species of Centaurea sect. Phalolepis (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Turkey. This species was collected from Vezirköprü district (Samsun Province) in north Anatolia. Centaurea isilae sp. nov. is morphologically similar to C. lycia and C. cadmea ssp. pontica from which it differs mainly in basal leaves, upper leaves and achene features. Comprehensive descriptions and comparison of the new species and closely related species, ecology, conservation status, pollen morphology, a distribution map and detailed illustrations of the new species are given.