ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicera Flos with various methods, using Lonicera japonica to represent Lonicera Flos for searching the different characteristics and discussing their attribution. Methods: An identification method on the basis of biological character comparison, structure observation of the flower epidermal by using SEM, and difference comparison of the marked components (chlorogenic acid, galu teolin, macranthoidin B, dipsacoside B) was established. The attribution of the two herbs on the account of Chinese Pharmacopoeia was discussed according to the historic using status and the present market situation. Results: In L. japonica, plenty of glandular hairs with turbinate top in flower epidermis and large leafy bracts in the bottom of flower were observed. Macranthoidin B and dipsacoside B were not detected. But in L. macranthoides, there were few leafy bracts and glandular hairs, and macranthoidin B and dipsacoside B were detected. Conclusion: Leafy bracts in the bottom of flower, glandular hairs in flower epidermis, and two characteristic components (macranthoidin B and dipsacoside B) could be used as basis for the identification of L. japonica and L. macranthoides.