Abstract

Objectives : A morphological classification among Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Codonopsis lanceolata, Adenophora remotiflora and Codonopsis pilosula was made through microscopic observation. Method : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and then observed and photographed by olymphus-BHT. Result : 1. Codonopsis pilosula is like a long cone, with amole-like projected parts at the beginning of the roots. 2. Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Codonopsis lanceolata, Adenophora remotiflora, and Codonopsis pilosula are all similar as following: 1) Cork layers are composed of a few to over 10 subsidiary cells, with individual or a group of stone cells among them. 2) Phloem is wide and has a milk tube. Conclusion : Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Codonopsis lanceolata, Adenophora remotiflora, and Codonopsis pilosula are all similar and difficult to be distinguished through microscopic observation, so that chemical experiments should be conducted for their identification.

Keywords

• Adenophora triphylla var. japonica;
• Codonopsis lanceolata;
• Adenophora remotiflora;
• Codonopsis pilosula;
• microscopic tissue;
• morphological identification