Abstract: Chromosome numbers of 24 populations from 13 species and 5 varieties, as well as karyotype data from 5 species and 1 variety of Chinese Bupleurum L.were reported.All were diploids, except two populations of B.tianschanicum, one of B.commelynoideum and one of B.marginatum were polyploids.(1) B.longicaule var.giraldii and B.petiolulatum var.tenerum may be two independent species; it is more appropriate for B.boissieuanum to be treated as a variety of B.longiradiatum, whereas treating B.commelynoideum var.flaviflorum as a variety of B.commelynoideum may not be appropriate; (2)B.commelynoideum and B.chinense are complex groups, which require further study; (3) The ancestral basic chromosome number of Bupleurum L.is x=7, but this needs further evidence.