Fluorochrome-banded karyotypes of eight populations belonging to five taxa of the genusArtemisiafrom different European origins are presented. The most common basic numberx = 9 is found in six populations of two diploid and two tetraploid species, whereas two populations of one diploid species have the less frequent basic numberx = 8. The data on chromosome morphology and fluorochrome banding lead to some karyosystematic and evolutionary considerations, among others the postulation of descendent dysploidy to explain the occurrence of the two basic numbers in the genus.Key words: Asteraceae, Anthemideae,Artemisia, karyotypes, fluorochrome banding, cytotaxonomy, evolution.