T Transworld Research Network 37/661 (2), Fort P.O. Trivandrum-695 023 Kerala, India Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011: 199-222 ISBN: 978-81-7895-528-5 Editor: Diego Muñoz-Torrero 9. Artemisia (Asteraceae): Understanding its evolution using cytogenetic and molecular systematic tools, with emphasis on subgenus Dracunculus Jaume Pellicer1, Teresa Garnatje2 and Joan Vallès3 1Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, United Kingdom 2Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC-ICUB), Passeig del Migdia sn 08038 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain 3Laboratori de Botànica, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII sn 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Abstract. The genus Artemisia is one of the largest of the Asteraceae family, with more than 500 species. It is widely distributed mainly across the Northern Hemisphere, being profusely represented in the Old World, with a great centre of diversification in Asia, and also reaching the New World. The evolution of this genus has been deeply studied using different approaches, and polyploidy has been found to perform an important role leading to speciation processes. Karyological, molecular cytogenetic and phylogenetic data have been compiled in the present review to provide a genomic characterization throughout some complexes within the genus. Correspondence/Reprint request: Dr. Jaume Pellicer, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, United Kingdom. E-mail:
[email protected] 200 Jaume Pellicer et al. 1. Introduction: A general overview on the genus Artemisia The genus Artemisia L. is one of the widely distributed genera of the Asteraceae family, and the largest genus of the Anthemideae tribe.