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Comparative authentication of three “snow lotus” herbs by macroscopic and microscopic features
Author(s) -
Chen Qilei,
Yi Tao,
Tang Yina,
Wong Lai Lai,
Huang Xiaoxuan,
Zhao Zhongzhen,
Chen Hubiao
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.22381
Subject(s) - lotus , pollen , botany , biology , snow , genus , physics , meteorology
ABSTRACT “Snow lotus” is a famous Chinese Materia Medica derived from species of the genus Saussurea (Compositae). To differentiate three representative easily‐confused snow lotus herbs, namely, Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.‐Bip, Saussurea laniceps Hand.‐Mazz., and Saussurea medusa Maxim., macroscopic features of the three herbs were systemically observed, and microscopic features were compared by using ordinary light microscopy, polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that, as for macroscopic identification, capitula situation and arrangement, and as for microscopic identification, pollen grains, nonglandular hairs, glandular hairs, and cells of inner surface of the microdiodange can be used to authenticate the three snow lotus herbs. Comprehensive table comparing the characteristics were presented in this study. SEM has been found to provide a number of unique characteristics of pollen grains. Based on the observation of pollen grains, evolution sequence of the three species was speculated. The present method was proven to be efficient, convenient, simple, and reliable, which was successfully applied to the authentication of three snow lotus herbs. Microsc. Res. Tech.1 77:631–641, 2014 . © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.