ABSTRACT
Objective: To provide the evidence for the molecular identification of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (APR) and discuss the scientific classification standard through ITS analysis on 26 samples of APR from 17 species. Methods: ITS of 26 populations was amplified and sequenced. The differences among the different samples were compared and K2P genetic distances of ITS sequence were calculated. NJ tree was constructed and haplotype network map was obtained by using the Network 4.2.0.1 software. Results: NJ tree and haplotype network map suggested that 26 populations were clustered into five groups, and the 17 APR could be sorted into four types after comprehensive analysis. Angelica pubescens was different from other species due to the distinct base sequence in the ITS sequence. All species were identified by ITS analysis except for the three species in Heracleum L. Conclusion: The ITS sequence is powerful for the identification and classification of medicinal APR. Tetrataenium-type plant could be the first choice as succedaneum and followed by Heracleum-type plant, then Aralia-type plant be the last candidate as well.