• Premise of the study: Aspidistra is a species‐rich, herbaceous monocot genus of tropical Southeast Asia. Most species are recently discovered and apparently endangered, though virtually nothing is known about their biology. Species of the genus are primarily distinguished using flower morphology, which is enormously diverse. However, the pollination process has not been directly observed in the center of diversity of the genus (N Vietnam and S China). Indirect and partly direct data on the only widely cultivated species of the genus (A. elatior) placed it among angiosperms with the most unusual pollination biology, though these data are highly controversial, suggesting pollen transfer by mollusks, crustaceans, flies, or possibly tiny soil invertebrates such as collembolans.• Methods: Pollination of Aspidistra xuansonensis in the center of diversity of the genus was studied using visual observations and videos and light and scanning electron microscopy investigation of flowers and their pollinators. Pollinators and their larvae were molecularly barcoded.• Key results: Aspidistra xuansonensis is pollinated by female cecidomyiid flies (gall midges). They oviposit on anthers, and larvae develop among the pollen mass. Molecular barcoding proved taxonomic identity of the larvae and the flies. The larvae neither damage floral parts nor cause gall formation, but feed on pollen grains by sucking out their content. The larvae move out of the flowers before decomposition starts. Carebara ants steal developing larvae from flowers but do not contribute to pollination.• Conclusions: More than one kind of myiophily is present in Aspidistra. Brood site pollination was documented for the first time in Aspidistra. The pollination system of A. xuansonensis differs from other kinds of brood site pollination in the exit of the larvae prior to the decomposition of floral parts.

The genus Aspidistra (Asparagaceae) shows strong variation of flower groundplan. We add further evidence of this variation describing a new species, Aspidistra paucitepala from southern Vietnam that has flowers with 2-4 tepals, 2-4 stamens and a gynoecium with unilocular ovary. Bisexual flowers with three tepals and three stamens are extremely rare among monocots with biotic pollination. Compared with typical trimerous pentacyclic monocot flowers, they can be either interpreted as trimerous and tricyclic or as 1.5-merous (at least in perianth and androecium) and pentacyclic. Both interpretations imply floral features unusual for ‘higher’ Asparagales. Aspidistra paucitepala resembles recently described A. brachystyla from northern Vietnam in narrow funnel-shaped to nearly tubular perianth with very small lobes and short cylindrical pistil with stigma located below the level of anthers. As species of the taxonomically diverse genus Aspidistra are frequently observed in the field without reproductive structures and cannot be properly identified, a need for DNA barcoding approach is obvious. We present preliminary data showing that plastid psbA-trnH and nuclear 5S-NTS regions could be useful for DNA barcoding of Aspidistra.

— Aspidistra cylindrica , a new species from southern Vietnam (Kon Tum province), is described and illustrated. The new species possesses a unique combination of cylindrical shape of pistil and shoot system with foliage leaves crowded in groups and not divided into petiole and lamina. Aspidistra cylindrica resembles A. muricata but differs in longer leaves, shorter and wider perigone, shorter pistil, shape and colour of perigone lobes, anther position, and stigma shape. The conservation status of A. cylindrica is assessed. A key for species of Aspidistra in southern Vietnam is provided.

Aspidistra clausa and Aspidistra triradiata are described and illustrated as new species from northern Vietnam (Vinh Phuc province, Tam Dao National Park). Aspidistra clausa is similar to A. crassifila, but has narrower leaves (lamina 2.8–4.5 cm vs. 6–12 cm), perigone tube wide tubular vs. campanulate, appendages longer, stigma conical vs. mushroom-shaped. Aspidistra triradiata is similar to A. hainanensis, but flowers larger (1.8–2.4 cm long, Ø 1.8–2.8 cm vs. 1–1.2 cm long, Ø 1.3–1.5 cm), perigone urceolate, lobes with 4 verrucose keels, stigma with three purple radial lines.