委陵菜属(Potentilla L.)是蔷薇科蔷薇亚科委陵菜族的一个大属，全世界约500余种，中国有88种。该属的分类历史极其复杂，其所含某些类群的分与合，学者们持有不同的观点。近年来随着分子标记的应用，可以从更加客观的方式评估蔷薇科蔷薇亚科下各类群的界限，包括委陵菜族下各类群及委陵菜属的界限。委陵菜属的分子系统学研究虽然取得了一些进展，但就这样一个在经济价值和理论研究方面都具有重要意义的大属来说仍远远不够。目前还未见从分子系统学的角度对中国委陵菜属进行专门研究。本项目旨在采用形态学、分子系统学的方法，对中国委陵菜属进行研究，将中国委陵菜属植物置于委陵菜族系统发生的背景下，探讨委陵菜属种间的系统发生关系和系统位置；确定狭义委陵菜属的范畴。本研究可为委陵菜属的系统学研究提供基本资料，同时可为该属植物资源开发利用提供理论依据。

The genus Potentilla L. (Rosaceae subfamily Rosoideae tribe Potentilleae) is a rather large genus comprising about 500 species, and 88 species occur in China. Classification history of the genus is extremely complex. The generic circumscription of Potentilla was frequently altered and discussed by the taxonomists and taxa treated within Potentilla were transferred or described within other genera. Recently, with the application of molecular markers, the limits among members of the family Rosaceae subfamily Rosoideae, including the generic limits among members of the tribe Potentilleae to which Potentilla belongs, could be also assessed in a more objective way. Although studies on molecular systematics of the genus Potentilla have made some progress, it is still far from enough for such a large and significant genus in the aspects of economic value and theoretical research. To date, there is no specialized research for Chinese Potentilla from the perspective of molecular systematics. Using the method of morphology and molecular systematics, the present project aims to study Chinese Potentilla. By the placement of these Chinese species in the context of a phylogeny of the Potentilleae, the goal is to infer the phylogenetic relationships and positions of Potentilla species, and define Potentilla sensu stricto (s.str.). This research will provide basic information for the systematic study of the genus Potentilla, and also offer theoretical basis for exploitation and utilization of its plant resources.