RESUMEN
Object To provide a basis for the identification and quality control of the crud drugs of Costus L.. Methods Morphological and histological characters of the rhizomes of Costus spectosus (Koen.) Smith, Costus lacerus Gagnep.and Costus tonkinensis Gagnep. were described and illustrated, respectively. TLC of the above drugs was finished. Microscopical characters of the epidemis of leaves of these species were also compared. Results The characters involving the vessel order in vascular bundle ring at the inner side of pericycle in the transverse section, calcium oxalate crystals occurred in the vessel, the characteristic calcium oxalate crystals in the cortex and cork cell and the TLC qualitative analysis for diosgenin, etc. are important for identification of Costus L.. Conclusion These three crude drugs can be identified by the above research results.