Three major chlorotype lineages in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L., Asteraceae)

Abstract Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla L., Asteraceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants with antiphlogistic, spasmolytic, carminative, antibacterial and antimycotic properties. Thirty-one chloroplast markers were developed, optimised for high-resolution melting analysis. Subsequently, 23 M. accessions (247 individuals) complemented 2 individuals closely related species discoidea analysed this marker set. The set can practically be reduced to 20 without information loss due linkage 16 markers. In total, chlorotypes (multilocus genotypes) identified, organised in three evolutionary main lineages. Only 8 monomorphic, other 15 had between 6 per accession. high number polymorphic within many indicate already a degree variability accessions, confirmed by 66% variation AMOVA. Gene diversity ranged 0.069 0.261. Since cultivars their origin wild populations countries where breeding took place, first hypothetical indication geographic chamomile could point Albania adjacent countries. ‘ancient chlorotype’ was identified comparing published plastome sequences Artemisia annua Lactuca sativa . present only but not any accessions. Two commercially tetraploid proofed unrelated presumed diploid parents.