ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study genetic difference of Cistanche tubulosa that parasites on different Tamarixs and give a reference to select host of C. tubulosa.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixteen selected primers by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyze genetic distance of C. tubulosa that parasites on eight different hosts.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Sixty-six point seven percent of the total bands were polymorphic, that proved the genetic diversity level in different C. tubulosa types was relatively high, especially the two that parasites on Tamarix hispida and T. chinensis. Cultural areas had more remarkable influence on genetic distance of Cistanche tubulosa than the hosts, and introduction was helpful to maintain the more genetic diversity in different C. tubulosa types. Genetic difference in different C. tubulosa types was far less than that between different species in Cistanche.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>C. tubulosa types which parasite on different Tamarixs have high genetic diversity.</p>