Molecular authentication of the Oriental medicines Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and Citri Unshius Pericarpium using SNP markers

► A host of SNP sites were detected among ITS sequences of five Citrus species. ► From two SNP sites, two modified specific primers were designed. ► The established multiplex allele-specific PCR system was proved to be effective. ► The scheme can be used for identification of botanical origin of medicinal materials.