AbstractPhylogenetic relationships among 11 species in the genusDisporumwere assessed by RFLP analysis of chloroplast DNA and their taxonomic status was re‐evaluated in the light of molecular, karyological as well as morphological data available at present. AmongcpDNAs from 17 plants of 11 species, 16 mutations were detected using 14 restriction enzymes and heterologouscpDNA probes. Restriction site data were analyzed cladistically, and a majority rule consensus tree was obtained. Species fell into four groups based oncpDNA, (1) a group containing seven species,D. uniflorum, D. taipingense, D. lutescens, D. sessile, D. kawakamii, D. multiflorum, andD. shimadai; (2) containing one speciesD. viridescens; (3) containing two speciesD. smilacinumandD. cantoniensevar.skimmense; (4) containingD. leucanthum.Among these groups the first one has two clades with high probability rate. The results suggest thatD. lutescensbelongs to the “D. sessilegroup” rather than the “D. smilacinumgroup”. But, the separation ofD. viridescensandD. smilacinuminto two groups as revealed by the present analysis is somewhat controversial, since bothD. viridescensandD. smilacinumshare a number of morphological and karyological characters in common. IntraspecificcpDNA variation ofD. sessilewas also