A new species of Plagiochila from China, P. chenii sp. nov., is described and illustrated. In addition, five species names of Plagiochila are newly placed in synonymy. These are Plagiochila capillaris Schiffn. ex Steph. (= P. corticola Steph.), P. forficata Steph. (= P. corticola Steph.), P. pseudopunctata Inoue (= P. gracilis Lindenb. & Gottsche), P. schofieldiana Inoue (= P. gracilis Lindenb. & Gottsche) and P. togashii Inoue (= P. corticola Steph.). Plagiochila corticola Steph. and P. vernicosa Inoue & Grolle are again reinstated as correct names of species of sect. Firmae. A lectotype is designated for P. corticola. Finally, sect. Capillares Carl (1931) is newly merged in synonymy of sect. Firmae Carl (1931). The following eight species are recognized in sect. Firmae: P. chenii Grolle & M. L. So, P. corticola Steph., P. gracilis Lindenb. & Gottsche, P. monospiris Inoue & Grolle, P. nitens Inoue, P. pseudocapillaris Inoue, P. pseudofirma Herzog, and P. vernicosa Inoue & Grolle. A key to the species of sect. Firmae, which is confined to Asia and Melanesia, is provided.

Communicating Editor: Richard Jensen