Boletus littoreus (Boletaceae, Boletales) is described as a new species from tropical China based on morphological and molecular evidence from the nuclear ribosomal large subunit RNA (28S), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1), and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (RPB2). It is morphologically characterized by white basidiomata, a stipe without reticulations, a pileipellis composed of elliptic-fusiform to subglobose, sometimes filamentous, chains of hyphae, and is associated with trees of Dipterocarpaceae. An illustrated morphological description is provided along with comparison to related and similar species.

Selaginella iridescens (Selaginellaceae), a new species of spikemoss from Hainan Island, China, is described based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species morphologically resembles S. pseudotamariscina from Vietnam which was recently recognized and segregated from S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata. Some characters of S. iridescens, including the iridescent leaves and long arista (0.35–1.20 mm long), the widely membranaceous margin of axillary leaves (ca. 2/3), dorsal leaves sulcate extending to the top, and slender main stem, dorsoventrally prostrate, distinguish it from S. pseudotamariscina. Phylogenetic results based on rbcL of 28 Selaginella species indicate that S. iridescens is sister to S. pseudotamariscina, and distant from the S. tamariscina-S.pulvinata clade. The ancestral character reconstruction result reveals that the rosette is apomorphic and has evolved independently at least six times in Selaginella.

Combretum xylocarpum, a new species from China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to C. acuminatum in leaf shape, spike position, flower structure and hypanthium shape, but obviously different from it by its fewer secondary veins, pale whitish flower petals, ellipsoidal woody fruits with 4 rounded ridges. In addition, the pollen grains of the new species exhibit unique characters comparing to other congeneric allies. Its conservation status is assessed to be Least Concern, according to the IUCN Red List Criteria and Category.

Zingiber inodorum, a new species belonging to Z. sect. Cryptanthium from Hainan, China, is described and colour plates showing its distinctive features are provided. Information on its distribution, ecology and phenology is also provided and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment of the species is proposed. An unpublished phylogenetic study shows that Z. inodorum is related to a group of 11 species that is informally named as “Zingiber cochleariforme group”. A key to these species is provided. Among them, Z. inodorum is mostly similar to Z. guangxiense from south and southeast China in its inflorescence and flower characters. Zingiber inodorum is also similar to Z. magang and Z. skornickovae from central Vietnam in its vegetative characters. A tabulated comparison of Z. inodorum, Z. guangxiense, Z. magang and Z. skornickovae is provided.

Two rarely reported violets, Viola annamensis Baker f. and V. rheophila Okamoto were confirmed as new additions to the flora of China, based on three collections from Yunnan and Guangxi, southwestern China. Molecular phylogeny analysis based on nrITS dataset was conducted to facilitate further identification and their phylogenetic position. A brief description of the two new recorded species were also presented.