ABSTRACT
Objective: To research the pharmaceutical identification of Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl., A. formosanus Hayata and A. chapaensis Gagnep. Methods: Using the methods of freehand section, microexamination, and digital photography to compare the plant morphology, tissue structures of root, stem and leaf transverse, and dried medicinal powder. Results: The plants of A.roxburghii and A. formosanus were smaller than that of A. chapaensis. The colors of their leaf veins were golden yellow, silver and light red, respectively, which should be the key morphologic identification. As for characteristics of histology, there were more xylem bundles and broad pulp in the root, and more external vascular bundles in the stem of A. chapaensis than the other two plants. The upper epidermal cells of A. formosanus were triangle shape differ to the oval shape in the other two plants. There were few red materials on the upper surface of A. roxburghii. Many red materials on the upper surface of A. formosanus were dispersed existence. The red materials on the upper surface of A. chapaensis showed to concentrate a column. The result showed their chemical compositions were large differences. Conclusion: The large differences on plant morphology and microstructure of the different sources plant were carried out. Our works will provide the basis for the establishment of quality standard of Anoectochilus.