BOTANICAL AND PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES OF THE CHINESE DRUG HU-HUANG-LIEN,RHIZOME PICRORRHIZAE

The Chinese drug Hu-huang-lien, rhizome of Picrorrhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth., was usually imported from India. In recent years, a plant of similar habit and identified to be P. scrophulariaeflora Pennell was found in Tibet Autonomous Region. The authors made a detailed comparison of the morphology, histology, capillary image, extractives, and bitterness of the dried rhizome with that of the imported material. It was found that both drugs are similar in all respects. A detailed botanical description of the plant is also given.