To assess the genetic diversity of Atractylodes macrocephala in 12 cultivated populations and 3 wild populations.The molecular marker technique ISSR was used to investigate the genetic diversity of 365 samples from 15 populations in Zhejiang, Anhui and Hebei Provinces. Data was analyzed by POPGEN 32, and a cluster diagram was presented by UPGMA.One hundred and two amplified fragments were obtained using 13 ISSR primers. 94 polymorphic loci were identified as 92.16%. Nei's genetic diversity index (He) was 0.406 5, Shannon diversity index (I) was 0.590 3, and the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) was 0.202 5. The genetic similarity coefficient among the populations ranged from 0.690 7 to 0.960 5 in an average of 0. 825 6. No significant difference was found among the populations based on the clustering analysis.There is a low level of genetic differentiation in higher genetic diversity of the A. macrocephala populations. No obvious regional or species diversities were identified. This is consistent with current status of cultivation and gerplasm circulation in A. macrocephala.