Abstract:Screening of the plant DNA barcode was mainly based on the chloroplast genes, including matK, rbcL, UPA, rpoB, rpoC1, accD, ndhJ, YCF5 located in the coding region and those in interval area, like trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF, atpF-atpH, trnD-trnY, psbI-psbK and so on, among them, the matK, rbcL and trnH-psbA were studied thoroughly and could be used as the core barcode sequences. The optimal barcode sequence in different plant populations had great difference, due to different evolutionary rates among genes and the frequent hybridizations among populations, and other reasons. The latest research progress of DNA barcode and the barcode technology in the species identification, taxonomy issue revision, discovery of new and covert species, herbs authenticity, food quality control and safety, entry and exit inspection and quarantine and so on was reviewed in this article,The deficiency in application of cpDNA barcode and the solutions were proposed, Also, the further development of DNA barcode were forecasted. This review will provide powerful basis of the application of the DNA barcode in higher plants.