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A new species of Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), Scutellaria jishouensis G. X. Chen, L. Tan & X. M. Xiang, sp. nov from Dehang Scenic Spot, Hunan Province of China, is described and illustrated. Scutellaria jishouensis is morphologically similar to S. indica and S. calcarata, but can be easily distinguished by its creeping, spreading to erect or ascending-erect, stem with forked adventitious roots; leaves membranous, sparsely crenate or entire; racemes 1-10 cm, corolla sparsely pilose or glabrous on adaxial, glabrous inside, and flowering and fruiting in late April-June. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacers, showed that S. jishouensis and S. calcarata were sister species with good support. The results of both morphological data and the phylogenetic analysis support the specific rank of S. jishouensis.

Potentilla sunhangii, a new species of Potentilla, from the Jin-hou-ling Mountains, Shen-nong-jia Forest District of Hubei province, China, is described and illustrated. The wild population of the new species is at an elevation of approximately 2930 m and has leaves palmately 3 foliolate. It is morphologically much similar to P. saundersiana, whilst being easily distinguished by its dense array of glands around the plant and green on both surfaces of leaves. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear and chloroplast confirmed the species belongs to Potentilla, in Argentea clade.

Trichosanthes sunhangii D.G.Zhang, Z.M.Li, Qun Liu & T.Deng, a new species of Cucurbitaceae, is described and illustrated. It was collected in Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei province, east-central China. T. sunhangii is morphologically similar to T. kirilowii Maxim. and T. rosthornii Harms, but can be easily distinguished from them by its bracts, tendrils and fruits. Phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA barcode markers (ITS, matK and rpl20-rps12) indicated that two accessions of T. sunhangii were grouped together (PP=1.00, BP=100 and LP=100) in Sect. Foliobracteola.

Adenophora xiaoxiensis (Campanulaceae), a new species from central China is described and illustrated. Molecular phylogenetic analysis (based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and the plastid regions trnL-F and matK ) and morphology support recognition of A. xiaoxiensis as a distinct species sister to A. wilsonii . Adenophora xiaoxiensis has ovate-elliptic to broadly lanceolate cauline leaves with irregularly biserrate margins, triangular-ovate calyx lobes with 1-3 pairs subulate or linear teeth and a white corolla. About 70 individuals were observed in a restricted area of less than 100 m 2 . The habitat could be easily disturbed or destroyed, thus, we assessed it as endangered (EN), based on Criteria D of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories.

Phytolacca exiensis, a new species of Phytolacca which was discovered from west of Hubei province, China, is discribed and illustrated in this paper. The placement of this new species is accessed based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal ITS and one chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH) sequences together with mophorlogical comparison. This new species can be easily distinguished from other related species by its carpers connate and plants dioecious.

Heteropolygonatum wugongshanensis, a new species from tribe Polygonateae in subfamily Nolinoideae (Asparagaceae) from Jiangxi Province of China, is described and illustrated. The placement of this species within Heteropolygonatum is assessed based on morphological comparisons, chromosomal evidence and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species is morphologically and phylogenetically related to H. roseolum, but differs from it by stems 10–20 cm tall, leaves 3–5, 12–14-nerved with prominent midrib, perigone campanulate whitish–purple, tipped greenish. The chromosome number of the H. wugongshanensis is 2n = 32 = 20m + 2sm + 10st and its karyotypes is asymmetrical with a high proportion of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes.

Saxifraga kegangii, a new species of Saxifraga sect. Irregulares (Saxifragaceae) from Hunan province of central China, is described and illustrated. This new species can be easily distinguished from related taxa by its leaf shape and disc semiannular around the side of the ovary. Placement of this species within Saxifraga sect. Irregulares is assessed based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal ITS and two chloroplast regions (trnL-F and psbA-trnH) sequences together with morphological comparisons.

A distinctive, previously undescribed species of Epimedium (Berberidaceae), which we propose naming E. tianmenshanensis, was found during a floristic survey in Hunan, China. It is similar to E. baojingense and E. franchetii, but has smaller flowers and petals with a short, blunt spur. We determined the phylogenetic position of the new species using DNA sequences of nuclear ITS and two chloroplast regions (atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer and matK). Molecular evidence indicates that E. tianmenshanensis occupies a distinct group related to E. baojingense.

Eutrema bulbiferum, a unique new species of Brassicaceae found in the limestone areas of Longshan and Jishou, Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. This species is most similar to E. tenue and E. yunnanense, but can be easily distinguished by its rosulate fleshy bulbils in the leaf axil or near the stem base, fewer ovules per ovary, slightly 4-angled short wand-like silique, and bended silique apex with a beak. E. bulbiferum is categorized into Eutrema by phylogenetic analysis based on the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS). It is also clearly separated from E. tenue and E. yunnanense by the results of both phylogenetic analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on morphometric characters.

Youngia zhengyiana, a new species of Youngia sect. Mesomeris (Asteraceae: Crepidinae) from Guizhou province of south China is described and illustrated. The placement of this species within Youngia is assessed based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal ITS and on morphological comparisons with related species. The new species can be easily distinguished by morphology from the only species known to possess 5 florets, Y. szechuanica. The infrageneric classification and the recently debated circumscription of Youngia are discussed in the light of the nrITS phylogeny, which includes several species for the first time. Pseudoyoungia is confirmed as a congener of Youngia. The redefined Youngia is still non-monophyletic with Lapsanastrum nested within it.