Daphne hekouensis H.W. Li & Y.M. Shui sp. nova (Thymelaeaceae) from China (Yunnan Province, Hekou County) is described and illustrated. The new species with its axillary inflorescence and 5-lobed white calyx tube is most similar to D. axillaris, but can be easily distinguished by the larger leaves (13–21 × 5–8 cm), longer calyx tubes (15–25 mm), larger elliptic or oblong calyx lobes (10–15 × 3–4 mm), and upper whorl of stamens located 3–4 mm below the mouth of the tube.