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Begonia catbensis, a new species in Begonia sect. Coelocentrum is described and illustrated. The new species was discovered in lowland limestone hills at Cat Ba National Park and can be easily distinguished from all its congeners by having dendritic hairs on the petiole, adaxial veins and stipules, fimbriate bracts and bracteoles, dense conical bullae on the upper surface of the leaf blade, two tepals in the pistillate flowers and a glabrescent ovary with verrucose wings. Based on IUCN Criteria, the species is currently assessed as "Endangered" (D). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on morphological data, Paraboea villosa from limestone areas of northern Vietnam is described and illustrated as a new species. It is similar to Paraboea middletonii Triboun, P. rufescens (Franch.) B.L. Burtt and P. umbellata (Drake) B.L. Burtt, but differs in its almost ebracteate inflorescence, small white flowers, very short peduncles, absence of staminodia, bright yellow, swollen, gibbous filaments and large anthers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspidistra erecta Yan Liu & C.-I Peng (Asparagaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the limestone areas in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It resembles A. fungilliformis Y. Wan in floral shape, but differs in its longer pistil than perianth tube, curvulate style, and exserted stigma. In this amazingly diverse genus, A. erecta distinguishes itself as the only Chinese Aspidistra, of over 60 others, having an upright stem. A somatic chromosome count of 2n = 38 and a karyotype formula 2n = 22m+4sm2SC+12st were determined for A. erecta. The new species is known from only two localities in southwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, near the border with northern Vietnam. Color plates, line drawings and a distribution map are provided to aid in identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]