Abstract
Pluteus sinensis , a new species of Pluteus sect. Celluloderma from China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular data. It is mainly characterized by terrestrial habitat, very small to small basidiomata, slightly umbonate at disk, a cracking pileus surface, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 5.5–6.5 × 4.5–5.5 µm, fusoid pleurocystidia, an epithelioid hymeniderm pileipellis with a predominantly mucronate apex, and the common presence of narrowly cylindro‐clavate caulocystidia. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that P. sinensis forms a well‐supported, independent lineage corresponding to cinereofuscus clade and distinct from previously known Pluteus species. A morphological description and illustration of the new species, as well as comparison with closely related taxa of Pluteus, are provided.