Vernonia Schreb. is a genus
in the family Asteraceae. It has over 1000 species which may be trees, shrubs,
woody climbers or herbs. Some of the species are economically important as
sources of food and herbal medicine as well as for industrial purposes. This
study was carried out to assess the genetic diversity of Vernonia
species in Nigeria. Molecular characterization was carried out on a total of 50
Vernonia samples consisting of 34 samples (13 species) from field
collections and 16 samples (10 species) from Ife Herbarium collections making a
total of 23 species using 4 RAPD primers. Analysis of the molecular data was
done using NTsys version 2.02j computer programme. Results from molecular
studies showed amplification through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 4
RAPD markers namely OPA-02, OPD-14, OPC-10 and OPE-01. Analysis of the
molecular data grouped the samples into 4 Groups with only one species
ungrouped. Group I had 17 species, II had 3 species, III had 6 species while IV
had 2 species.  V. amygdalina was
represented in all 4 Groups, V. glabra and V. guineense were
present in Groups 1 and 3, V. tenoreana and V. purpurea were
in  Groups 1 and 2 respectively, while V.
colorata remained ungrouped. All 50 Vernonia samples used in the
molecular study clustered at 64% and analyzed at a similarity coefficient of
72%. This analysis revealed that RADP markers are useful tools in assessing the
level of genetic diversity in Vernonia.