Abstract:The essential oil of Artemisia dubia var. dubia and dubia var. subdigitata were analysed by GCMS and a tatal of 82 compounds including 50 terpenoids, 12 aromatics and 20 aliphatics were identified, among which variety dubia and var. subdigitata contained 54 and 67 compounds respectivey. Comparative studies indicate that 39 compounds (27 terpenoids, 5 aromatics and 7 aliphatics) were shared by the two varieties. The difference in constituents of essential oil between the two varieties is that more types of biocyclic and tricyclic sesquiterpenes, aromatics and aliphatics were shown inA. Dubia var. subdigitata than A. dubia var. dubia. Compositionally, the terpenoids in essential oil of the two varieties were endowed with a higher degree of cyclization than those of the species from Subgen. Artemisia, but similar to those of the species from Subgen. Dracunculus. Thus the assignment of the two varieties in Subgen. Dracunculus was consistent with the phylogeny of the genus Artemisia.