Abstract: According to our studies, 4 species and 1 forma of Kaempferia are being used as medicine in China. Among them, one new combination, one new record and one new forma were found. The original plant of the traditional Chinese drug Shannai is K. galanga L. In Yunnan province, K. latifolia (Dunn) Y. H. Chen and K. marginata Carey f, alba Y. H. Chen sometimes are used as Shannai. In addition, the pharmacognostical and chemical identification of these plants were also studied, they are distinguished by the sizes and shapes of starch grains, and by the chemical constituents on TLC.