In the previous DNA barcoding studies, four or five species, in addition to Asparagus cochinchinensis, were found in the crude drug ‘Asparagi radix’ from Chinese and Japanese markets. Among these, the proportion of cultivated samples among the identified crude drug samples was 78% for A. taliensis and 35% for A. cochinchinensis but cultivated A. subscandens was not observed. The increase of cultivated Asparagi radix in response to the decrease of wild resources will likely lead to potential changes in the species composition of the botanical origin of the Asparagi radix in the market in future, particularly with an expected increase in A. taliensis. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the reasons behind the diversity of the source plant species of Asparagi radix in China, considering the cultivation of A. cochinchinensis and A. taliensis. A literature review and on-site investigations were conducted to uncover the history and status of the production areas. In wild-harvested areas in Hubei, Guizhou, and Sichuan, only A. cochinchinensis was harvested. In contrast, in cultivated areas, A. taliensis was cultivated in Yunnan and Guizhou, whereas A. cochinchinensis was cultivated in Guangxi and Sichuan. This situation was probably caused by the cultivation history in the three regions where native species and strains were independently used. Among the cultivated crude drugs, those derived from A. cochinchinensis in Guangxi, the most prevalent in the market during the survey, were small and thin. In contrast, those derived from A. taliensis from Yunnan and Guizhou were large, well-filled, and light-colored, matching the characteristics of high-quality products in the crude drug market. As Yunnan and Guizhou are geo-authentic herb (Di Dao, geo-authentic “best quality”)-producing areas of Asparagi radix, traditionally, Asparagi radix originated from A. taliensis will likely increase more in the future.

Three putative hybrids between Rubus chingii (Rosaceae) and other species, including R. palmatus, R. corchorifolius, and R. hirsutus have been reported based on morphological traits as R. ×calopalmatus, R. ×pseudochingii, and R. ×masakihisashii, respectively. In this study, we verified the morphological classification of these hybrid species based on molecular analyses for nine individuals from putative hybrids and six from putative parental species. The analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA confirmed the hybrid status of all putative hybrids and supported their origin from the proposed parental species. In addition, the analysis of chloroplast rbcL and matK regions identified the maternal species (excepting for R. ×pseudochingii) and revealed that hybridization could occur in both directions, at least for R. ×calopalmatus.

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai, a Korean endemic species belonging to a monotypic genus of Oleaceae, was described by Nakai in 1919 based on four specimens cited in the protologue. He added two forms of the species in 1922, f. albiflorum Nakai and f. lilacinum Nakai, without citation of the specimens he actually examined. After examining the syntypes of A. distichum [f. disticum] and the original material of f. albiflorum Nakai and f. lilacinum Nakai, we selected, and designate here, the lectotypes of these taxa.

Ischaemum prasannae Nagaraju, Pamarthi & R.Kr.Singh (Poaceae), a new species from Eturinagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Mulugu district, Telangana, India is described and detailed photo plates are provided.

A new variety of Gentiana zollingeri Fawc. (Gentianaceae), var. tosaensis Mas.Yamam., Yukie Ueno & K.Ueno, is described. It is distinguishable from the typical variety by its short white corolla, inconspicuous gynophore, and capsule, which is only rarely exserted from the marcescent corolla. The plants of the new variety occur in shady evergreen and Japanese cedar forests and begins blooming in mid-March, slightly earlier than the typical variety.

Adonis multiflora Nishikawa & Koji Ito (Ranunculaceae) was described referring to a single gathering from Aomori Prefecture, Japan by T.Nishikawa. We found eight sheets indicated either as “holotype” or “isotype” for A. multiflora at the Herbarium of the Hokkaido University Museum (SAPS). However, among the eight specimens, two sheets should be treated as not type materials but original materials, because they were not collected from the type locality. The remaining six specimens were considered as syntypes, as a formal designation of a holotype or lectotype was not yet properly made. Therefore, we designate one of the syntypes, SAPS072700, as the lectotype, and the other five specimens as isolectotypes.

The chromosome numbers and reproductive mode of a few species of the genus Arachniodes in Japan are still unknown although previous studies have reported cytotypes for many species. This study contributes new information of cytological data of Arachniodes by reporting a tetraploid (2n = 164) sexual species, A. davalliiformis from Japan.

Festuca auriculata (Poaceae) is newly recorded in Japan from central to eastern Hokkaido. We examined Festuca specimens that had leaves with three sclerenchyma strands in transverse section, and varied in rib size and number. Festuca mollissima has been distinguished by some authors from F. auriculata based on the size and number of ribs together with a difference in shape of the sclerenchyma strands. However, considering an alternative opinion recognizing the former name as a synonym of the latter, we identified our specimens as F. auriculata because the aforementioned characters varied within the same population.

Begonia menchunaensis (Begoniaceae) is reported for the first time from Sikkim, India. Detailed description of the plant from Sikkim have been provided.

Petrocosmea hsiwenii (Gesneriaceae) is newly recorded for the Flora of Vietnam, which was found in the rainforest of Lai Chau Province, northern Vietnam. Description is provided based on the Vietnamese material.