Molecular analyses of the Chinese herb Leigongteng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f.)

► FINS analyses of ITS and 5S rDNA sequences suggested that Tripterygium hypoglaucum and T. doianum are not distinct from T. wilfordii. ► T. regelii should be a separate species. ► The sequences also showed potential value in detecting adulterants from Celastrus angulatus in commercial Leigongteng samples.