Abstract:Michelia tonkinensis A. Chev. was published without type designation. Its identity could not be determined with certainty for a long time, so it was once placed under synonymy of M. balansae (Aug. DC.) Dandy. Based on examination of the original materials and the protologue of M. tonkinensis, Fleury 37.667 (P), a collection made from Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam, was confirmed the only original material currently available for this species, and thus should be considered as its type. Michelia tonkinensis is found to be distinct from M. balansae and should be recognized as an independent species. Comprehensive information of M. tonkinensis, including synonymy, vernacular name, description, distribution, and specimens examined is given.