The region containing 18S rRNA gene, ITS 1 and part of the 5.8S rRNA gene of the Atractylodes japonica Koidz was amplified by PCR and the product cloned in a pBluescript SK II plasmid. DNA sequence of the cloned DNA was determined and submitted to the GenBank (accession number EU678363). Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS 1 DNA showed close similarity with the other plant species of the family Compositae. The extract of the plant materials of five different members of the family Compositae was analyzed by HPLC to detect atractylon. Extract of the A. japonica Koidz showed presence of significant amount of atractylon. However, noticeable amount of atractylon was not detected by the same analyses from the extracts of the other plants belonging to the family Compositae including Artemisia capillaris, Chrysantemum zawadskii, Eclipta prostrata or Taraxacum platycarpum.