Fungi of the order Boletales are extremely important in both ecology and economy, since most of them are ectomycorrhizal fungi, which play vital roles in maintaining forest ecosystems, water and soil protection, vegetation restoration and so on. Although previous studies have shown that this order has a very high species diversity in China, there are few reports on the species diversity of boletes in Jiangxi Province, China. Based on morphological (macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics) and phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, and TEF1-α sequences), in this study, the wild boletes in Jiangxi Province were investigated, and five new species are described: Austroboletus albus, Xanthoconium violaceipes, Xanthoconium violaceofuscum, Xerocomus rutilans and Xerocomus subsplendidus. Descriptions and hand drawings of the new species are presented.

Bolete specimens collected in Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, were identified as Pseudobaorangia lakhanpalii, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The ITS sequences of our collections exhibited a high similarity with Boletus lakhanpalii (99.53% for KEF13271 and 99.44% for KEF13272). However, because of limited molecular data and complex taxonomic relationships of Boletaceae, the phylogenetic placement of B. lakhanpalii could not be clearly determined. This study conducted a phylogenetic analysis by combining nrLSU, RPB2 and TEF1-α genes, and the results showed that this species has a close phylogenetic relationship with Baorangia, sharing some morphological characteristics, but also having several highlighting differences. Therefore, a new genus Pseudobaorangia is proposed with P. lakhanpalii as the type species and its detailed description is provided.

Hygrocybe species are a group of brightly colored mushrooms widely distributed across the world, and they represent the most species-rich genus within Hygrophoraceae. In this study, Hygrocybe nanfengmianensis, a new species in subg. Hygrocybe sect. Hygrocybe subsect. Macrosporae, from Jiangxi Nanfengmian National Nature Reserve is described. Hygrocybe nanfengmianensis is characterized by a yellow to orange pileus, pale yellow to yellow lamellae, clavate basidia (30–39 × 8–10 µm), 2 or 4 sterigmata, and possesses clamp connections at the base. Phylogenetic analysis of the species was performed using the ITS and the LSU sequence data. A full description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided.

A morphological and phylogenetic analysis has been conducted on a new species, Aureoboletus pseudorussellii, belonging to the genus Aureoboletus Pouzar (nrLSU + TEF1-α) and provided a detailed description. It grows on the ground under the mixed forest of Fagaceae and Pinaceae in Zhejiang Province, and is named after its similarity to A. russellii. The distinctive features of this species include a pileus uncracked in maturity, with a subtomentose surface, which darkens to reddish brown to blackish brown when injured. It is also marked by a yellowish white to white short veil at the margin. The stipe is adorned with prominent white to pale reddish brown carinate stripes, and its context ranges from yellowish white to orange, showing no discoloration when bruised. Basidiospores (14–)14.5–20.5(–21) × (7.5–)8–9(–9.5) µm. A detailed description of the novel species and its differences from similar species is provided below.

The genus Aureonarius belongs to the family Cortinariaceae. In this study, phylogenetic inferences of Aureonarius were conducted based on sequences from a multi-locus dataset (ITS, nrLSU, RPB1, RPB2). A new species of Aureonarius discovered in Yunnan province of China was described based on morphological and molecular evidence. Aureonarius baimaensis is characterized by its medium-sized basidiomata; brownish-orange to reddish-brown tinge pileus and a pastel yellow tinge in the context; smooth central surface, with yellowish white to butter yellow finely fibrils near the edge; it typically has sterile lamella edges composed of smaller clavate cells. Morphological description, illustrations, and phylogenetic result of the new species are provided, as well as their comparisons to related taxa.

Lyophyllum decastes, commonly known as Luronggu, is extensively cultivated across China. It exhibits rich germplasm in China. However, the number of cultivars available for commercial production is limited, highlighting the importance of targeted breeding programs. In this study, we utilized selected breeding and SSR molecular markers to develop improved strains of L. decastes for the first time. The breeding process strictly adhered to China’s national standard for ‘Technical inspection for mushroom selecting and breeding’. It encompassed pure strain isolation, biological classification, primary screening, secondary screening, physiological performance determination, molecular characterization, intermediate test, and demonstration cultivation. As a result, strain ZJLZS002, known for its high yield (380 ± 3.6 g·bag⁻¹), shortened growth period (75.6 ± 1.3 d), and stable traits, is well suited for industrial cultivation. This new cultivar has achieved a significant milestone as the first variety in China to be officially recognized at the provincial level, under the name ‘Zhongjunluronggu No. 1’. Its development signifies a crucial advancement in achieving seed source independence and promotes the replacement of imported varieties with domestic ones, contributing to the sustainable development of China’s edible fungi industry.