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Nearly 103 species of Sphaeropteris are distributed in tropical area, of which three species are indigenous to China. Our previous molecular study of the genus in China showed that there is an undescribed species from Guangxi province which could be originated from natural hybridization. In this study, we carried out further morphological studies on the species of Sphaeropteris in China, and assessed the status of the new species. Here, we described and illustrated the new species as S. guangxiensis Y.F. Gu & Y.H. Yan.

Lepisorus youxingii, a new fern of Polypodiaceae from southern China, is described and illustrated. Morphological comparison with L. thunbergianus, L. oligolepidus, and L. lewisii is provided. Both morphological and molecular evidences clearly indicate that L. youxingii is a distinct species. It differs in rhizome scales (brown, iridescent, transparent, lanceolate with broadly ovate base, margin denticulate, and apex long acuminate), laminae (lanceolate, widest at third from the base, base attenuate, decurrent, with margin narrowly callose, and apex long caudate), and paraphyses (brown, orbicular, with margin denticulate, and lumina transparent). This species is in protected area with more than 250 mature individuals and it can be classified as LC (Least Concern) according to IUCN criteria.

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Phlegmariurus (Herter) Holub is the largest genus of Lycopodiaceae, with about 250 species distributed in the tropics and subtropics of the world. Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is the representative species of Phlegmariurus. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of P. phlegmaria. This complete chloroplast genome is 1,49,711 bp in size. In total, 134 genes were identified, including 84 protein-coding genes, 42 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. In phylogenetic analysis, a close relationship with genus Huperzia was supported by maximum-likelihood (ML) tree. The complete plastome of P. phlegmaria will provide potential genetic resources to understand the evolution of lycophytes.

Ophiopogon yangshuoensis R.H. Jiang & W.B. Xu (Asparagaceae), a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to O. intermedius, but differs by its abaxially glaucous leaves, white streaked, broadlanceolate or ovate-lanceolate bracts, narrow-lanceolate innermost bracts, and ovate, reflexed tepals.

Chionographis shiwandashanensis a new species from southern Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to C. koidzumiana Ohwi and C. chinensis Krause in habit, but distinguished by oblong-elliptic to oblong bractlike leaves and 6, filiform, regular tepals.