To lay a foundation for molecular breeding efforts, the first genetic linkage map for Stevia rebaudiana has been constructed using segregation data from a pseudo test-cross F1 population. A total of 183 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were analysed and assembled into 21 linkage groups covering a total distance of 1389 cM, with an average distance between markers of of 7.6 cM. The 11 largest linkage groups consisted of 4-19 loci, ranged in length from 56 to 174 cM, and accounted for 75% of the total map distance. Fifteen RAPD loci were found to be unlinked. From the 521 primers showing amplification products, 185 (35.5%) produced a total of 293 polymorphic fragments, indicating a high level of genetic diversity in stevia. Most of the RAPD markers in stevia segregated in normal Mendelian fashion.Key words: stevia, open-pollinated, genome map, RAPD.