囊瓣芹属隶属于伞形科芹亚科，是一个东亚特有属和中国半特有属，约有15–18种。由于形态特征变异幅度大、模式标本和原始文献交流不及时、标本查询和野外调查不充分等原因，导致本属成为伞形科分类最复杂的类群之一。近年来关于芹亚科及其下部类群的分子系统研究取得了较大进展，但是，迄今为止尚无专注于囊瓣芹属形态和分子的研究，其系统位置、单系性、属下分类系统等一直存在争议。另外，尽管前人基于形态性状、地理分布等对囊瓣芹属进行了修订，本属还存在大量的种名误引用、分类界限不明确、分类地位存疑等分类问题。在全物种、多居群、多基因片段的基础上，本研究拟从形态学、孢粉学、解剖学、细胞学、生态学、分子系统发育等角度，结合国内外标本、原始文献等资料，对囊瓣芹属及其近缘类群的系统位置、单系性、属下分类系统、种间关系等进行深入探讨和研究，厘清本属的分类问题，并提出全面而科学的分类修订。

Pternopetalum Franch. (Apiaceae, Apioideae), with about 15–18 species, is endemic to East Asia and semi-endemic to China. It is one of the most taxonomically complicated genera of Apiaceae, because of the great variation of morphology, inadequate communication of literatures and type specimens, and insufficient consultation of herbarium specimens and fieldwork. Recently detailed molecular phylogenetic researches of Apioideae have made great achievements, but little is known about the phylogeny of Pternopetalum. To date neither morphologic surveys nor phylogenetic studies focused on Pternopetalum have been conducted. The systematic position, monophyly and infrageneric classification of Pternopetalum has long been controversial. Although this genus has been recently revised, there are still many taxonomical problems unresolved, such as misapplication, ambiguous interspecific boundaries, and doubtful taxonomic status. Based on specimens, literatures, morphological characters (including anatomy of leaf epidermis and mericarp, palynology, cytology, ecology), as well as molecular data, with significantly increased samples and DNA makers for this genus and its allies, the present study try to explore the systematic position, monophyly, infrageneric classification, interspecific boundaries and relationships of Pternopetalum. Finally, the taxonomical problems of this genus will be clarified and a comprehensive and scientific revision will be presented.