Lepisorus rufofuscus T. Fujiw. (Polypodiaceae, Polypodiales), a Japanese species previously treated as L. angustus Ching, is described as new based on integrated evidence from phylogenetics, cytology, and morphology. It is morphologically segregated from L. angustus by the broadly lanceolate or ovatelanceolate rhizome scales and the ovate leaf scales in the former, but narrowly lanceolate and lanceolateleaf scales in the latter. Although it shows close phylogenetic affinity with L. contortus (Christ) Ching, it is distinct from the latter in basic chromosome number and can be morphologically distinguished from L. contortus in the rhizome scales; opaque center band broader and longer in the former but narrower and shorter in the latter.

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Phylogenetic trees of Peperomia subg. Micropiper based on nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and eight plastid DNA regions to evaluate the congruence of their topologies and to assess section-equivalent groups that were previously proposed based on a plastid phylogenetic tree are reported. The results revealed two obvious incongruences related to section-equivalent groups between the nuclear and plastid trees at the levels of the phylogenetic position of Glabelloid group and the monophyly of Blandoid group. The cause of the former incongruence was estimated to be hybridization (chloroplast capture) because the common morphological characteristics were shared by plants in the clade supported by the nuclear tree. The latter incongruence also appears to have been caused by hybridization. Unusually, however, the morphological characteristics supported the clade in the plastid (not nuclear) tree. The section-equivalent groups were also confirmed by the nuclear tree except for the Blandoid group, which was split at into two groups (P. blanda, including P. leptostachya, and other species). Peperomia tuisana, which previously remained outside the groups, is a dubious species and may be a hybrid origin.

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Based on morphological observations and molecular evidence, including nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrITS) and two chloroplast DNA markers (cpDNA), using new samples from the Mt. Darong in southeastern China, this study aimed to provide new insights into the Christisonia hookeri complex (Orobanchaceae), a confusing taxon in China. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that: C. hookeri C. B. Clarke and C. sinensis Beck have a close affinity and C. kwangtungensis Hu and C. siamensis Craib appear to be distinct species. Data from observations of the morphology of the plants on Mt. Darong improved the description of C. hookeri: the calyx teeth rupture into two to five portions on the same plant; a tuft of hairs is in the throat of the corolla; fainter yellow stripes on the lower lip extend from the base of the lobe to inside the corolla tube; small pores were observed at the tip of the anthers of the two lower stamens; the stigma is peltate and laterally bilobed. A lectotype for C. hookeri is designated and a key to the species of Christisonia in China is provided.

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Lasianthus gialaiensis V. S. Dang, Vuong, Quan & Naiki, a new species from Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, Gia Lai Province, in the central highlands of Vietnam, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to L. bokorensis, which was discovered in Bokor National Park, southern Cambodia, in the shape of the leaves, inflorescences and orange fruit, but differs in having shorter petioles, shorter stipules and calyx tubes, larger corolla, and green calyx. A vernacular name, ecological information and a table comparing it with L. bokorensis are also provided.

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Gastrodia (Orchidaceae) is a species-rich, achlorophyllous genus containing more than 100 species. Recently, several species of Gastrodia with only closed, self-pollinating, cleistogamous flowers were discovered in Japan and Taiwan. Here, an additional taxon of Gastrodia with completely cleistogamous flowers from a lowland evergreen forest on Yakushima, Japan, is described as G. takeshimensis Suetsugu var. shirataniensis Suetsugu. It is most similar to G. takeshimensis var. takeshimensis, but is distinguishable by its peloric labellum and column with a prominent ventral appendage. The assignment of taxonomic rank to a peloric, completely cleistogamous orchid, is discussed. Comparison between G. takeshimensis var. shirataniensis and other taxa of Gastrodia revealed that G. qingyunshanensis is conspecific with G. clausa. The ecological significance of the column appendage in G. takeshimensis var. shirataniensis and G. clausa is also discussed.

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Elatostema lineolatum Wight var. majus Wedd. (Urticaceae) was recently found on Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan. Morphological and cytological observations and DNA barcoding based on nucleotide sequences of chloroplast psbA-trnH and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were used to compare it with E. lineolatum var. majus in Taiwan.

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Spiradiclis baishaiensis X. X. Chen & W. L. Sha (Rubiaceae) and Euchresta tubulosa Dunn (Fabaceae) are here reported for the first time for the flora of Vietnam. Distribution, ecology, phenology, taxonomic notes and color photos of the two species are presented. Identification keys for Spiradiclis and Euchresta in Vietnam are also provided.

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A new record of Yoania prainii King & Pantling (Orchidaceae) and the distribution of Yoania japonica Maxim in the Luoxiao Range, China, is reported. Yoania is endemic to eastern Asia and comprises four species, one variety, and one form distributed in China, India, Japan and Vietnam. The systematics of Y. japonica and Y. prainii, as well as the floristic significance of Yoania is also briefly discussed.

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