A novel actinomycete strain YIM 33361(T) was isolated from a soil sample collected from Yunnan, China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the strain constituted a distinct subclade within the genus Nocardia, displaying more than 3% sequence divergence from established species. Based on its morphological, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 33361(T) (=CCTCC AA 204004(T)=KCTC 19027(T)) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Nocardia polyresistens sp. nov.