Ophiorrhiza xunliniana L. Wu & Q.R. Liu (Rubiaceae), a new species from Malipo County, southeastern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to O. liangkwangensis but differs from it by having persistent (vs. caducous) stipules, and initially drooping inflorescences that later become suberect (vs. erect throughout the development). Additionally, in long-styled flowers, there is a villous ring near the middle of the corolla tube (vs. no villous ring but soft hairs inside) and densely (vs. sparsely) villous outside of the corolla tubes. Based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the conservation status of O. xunlinii is assessed as Least Concern (LC).