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Peliosanthes Andrews (1808: 605) belongs to the subfamily Nolinoideae (Chase et al. 2009) of Asparagaceae (APG 2016). This genus contains 60–65 species distributed widely in South and Southeast Asia (Nguyen et al. 2017). Peliosanthes macrophylla Wall. in Baker (1879: 505) was described by Baker based on the collections made from “Himalaya Orientalis” in Sikkim and Mishmi. In the original description, Baker cited three collectors (J.D. Hooker & T. Thomsons, C.B. Clarke and W. Griffith). The first author could trace the collection of J.D. Hooker & T. Thomson (s.n., K000099377!, K000099378!, P00753584!), and W. Griffith (5841, P00214605!) which fit with the protologue of the species. Since no holotype was indicated these all should be regarded as syntypes according to Art. 9.5 of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012). According to Art. 9.12, the lectotype should be chosen from those syntypes. Since the specimen designated as “Griffith 5841” (P00214605!) is the only cited in protologue with collection number, it is selected here as the lectotype. A detailed morphological description and photographic illustration (Fig. 1) of the species based on living plant material is also given here to facilitate its identification.

One following the news of systematics of the genus Aspidistra Ker Gawler (1822: 628) should notice that the year 2016 brought us at least 16 new taxa, including 15 new species and one subspecies (Averyanov & Tillich 2016, Averyanov et al. 2016, Liang et al. 2016, Liu et al. 2016, Ly & Tillich 2016, Pan et al. 2016, Tanaka 2016, Vislobokov 2016, Vislobokov et al. 2016a, 2016b, Zhou et al. 2016). Indeed, Aspidistra is a large and rapidly growing genus which comprises about 160 species, including more than 60 of them known in Vietnam (e.g., Tillich 2005, 2008, 2014, Averyanov & Tillich 2015, 2017, Colin 2015, Vislobokov 2015, 2016, Averyanov et al. 2016, Vislobokov et al. 2016a, 2016b).

Tupistra Ker Gawler (1814: 1655) belonging to Asparagaceae subfamily Nolinoideae (APG 2009, Chase et al. 2009), includes about 26 species (Govaerts 2016). These taxa spread mainly in south and south-east of continental Asia, including Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia (Tanaka 2003a, 2003b, 2010a, 2010b, Averyanov et al. 2016). This genus is characterised by leaves with slender petiolar base, relatively large stigma broader than the style, stout columnar style almost as thick as the ovary and usually tuberculate, dirty green, globular berry-like fruit (Tanaka 2003a, 2010a). In India, Tupistra is represented so far by four species, namely Tupistra clarkei Hooker (1894: 325), T. nutans Wall. ex Lindley (1839: 1223), T. stoliczana Kurz (1875: 199) and T. tupistroides (Kunth 1848: 12) Dandy (1932: 329).

Aspidistra globosa is described and illustrated as a new species from southern Vietnam (Gia Lai province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park). The new species has long erect stem, which is a rare feature in the genus Aspidistra. Aspidistra globosa resembles A. khangii and A. locii in globoid perigone and erect stem, but differs in smaller flowers, color of perigone, position of anthers and orientation of flower.

Two new species of Aspidistra, A. averyanovii and A. parviflora from Central Vietnam, Quảng Ngãi Province, are described, including assessment of conservation status and comparison to most similar congeners.

Aspidistra clausa and Aspidistra triradiata are described and illustrated as new species from northern Vietnam (Vinh Phuc province, Tam Dao National Park). Aspidistra clausa is similar to A. crassifila, but has narrower leaves (lamina 2.8–4.5 cm vs. 6–12 cm), perigone tube wide tubular vs. campanulate, appendages longer, stigma conical vs. mushroom-shaped. Aspidistra triradiata is similar to A. hainanensis, but flowers larger (1.8–2.4 cm long, Ø 1.8–2.8 cm vs. 1–1.2 cm long, Ø 1.3–1.5 cm), perigone urceolate, lobes with 4 verrucose keels, stigma with three purple radial lines.