Large‐scale phylogenies provide a framework for interdisciplinary investigations in taxonomy, evolutionary biology, biogeography, ecology, and conservation. Integration of regional tree of life and species distribution data has greatly promoted spatial phylogenetic studies on biodiversity, floristic assembly, and biogeographic regionalization. In this study, we updated the phylogenetic tree of Chinese vascular plants by integrating data from public databases and sequences newly generated by our laboratory, to facilitate the exploration of floristic and ecological questions at a country scale. A phylogenetic tree with 15 092 tips and 14 878 species was obtained, including 13 663 species (44.0%) and 2953 genera (95.7%) native to China. Only two families (Corsiaceae and Mitrastemonaceae) and 133 genera native to China are not sampled in this study. Low proportion of sampling is detected in orders with high species diversity and those with low species diversity. The Hengduan Mountains, plus the western Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and western Xinjiang, show the greatest gap of target molecular data for angiosperms. Our phylogeny of Chinese vascular plants recovers relationships among and within major lineages that are highly congruent with published phylogenies at a broader scale. Most families (98.7%) are supported as monophyletic, and 573 genera (17.9%) are recognized as non‐monophyletic. Finally, hotspots of phylogenetic diversity for the Chinese angiosperms at both the genus and species levels are identified based on our phylogram, implicating conservation priorities for phylogenetic diversity. The updated phylogeny of Chinese vascular plants is publically available to generate subtrees through our automated phylogeny assembly tool SoTree in the DarwinTree platform (http://www.darwintree.cn/flora-sotree-v2/index.shtml).

The taxonomy of Linderniaceae has been considered difficult, particularly in the establishment of a stable generic framework. The prevailing approach in Australia and globally has been to adopt a broad concept of Lindernia encompassing several segregates that have at various times been recognised as genera or subgeneric taxa. A recent global conspectus drawing on molecular phylogeny returned Lindernia to a narrower circumscription and also retained several long-recognised and more recently established genera. It included a polyphyletic Vandellia, encompassing many Australian species previously accepted as belonging in Lindernia. Here, we test these generic concepts using the phylogenetic analysis of plastid matK DNA sequences, including representatives of Australian Linderniaceae. We propose a generic taxonomy that resolves existing polyphyly and balances the need for name changes against the information conveyed by generic names. Our concept of Lindernia recognises three monophyletic subgenera. Evidence is insufficient to determine whether Micranthemum should be subsumed in Lindernia or remains a close ally with a sister relationship to it. In light of our findings, we return most of the Australian species to Lindernia; we also establish for the first time: Lindernia subg. Ilysanthes (Raf.) Wannan, W.R.Barker & Y.S.Liang, based on Ilysanthes Raf.; a replacement name Yamazakia W.R.Barker, Y.S.Liang & Wannan for Tittmannia Rchb. nom. rej., with consequential combinations Y. viscosa (Hornem.) W.R.Barker, Y.S.Liang & Wannan, based on Gratiola viscosa Hornem. and Y. pusilla W.R.Barker, Y.S.Liang & Wannan, based on Gratiola pusilla Willd.; and, in expanding Torenia, the combination Tor. anagallis (Burm.f.) Wannan, W.R.Barker & Y.S.Liang, based on Ruellia anagallis Burm.f.