RESUMEN
Objective: To research identification methods of the two crude drugs from the original plants with close relationship and very similar macroscopic shape,"Chuipencao"(Herba Sedi) and "Fujiacao"(Herba Sedi Linearis).Methods:Microscopic technique and TLC were used to determine the pharmacognostical characters for identification purpose.Results: The microscopic observations showed that the tissue structures of the stems and the microscopic characters of the powders were very similar between the two herbal drugs.But there were significant differences in number of the vessel,shape of the pith,and number of the purplish-red cell.For the samples collected in August,number of the vessel of the former usually was only 35-58,while the latter was 75-150.Pith of the former usually was in the shape of a triangle,while the latter was in the shape of Y.The TLC result had also obvious difference between the two drugs.Besides,there were some differences of the pharmacognostical characters of the samples collected in distinct periods.Conclusion: The results provided scientific basis for the identification of the two crude drugs and suggested that the general microscopic features be not important in the microscopic identification of the crude drugs from the original plants with closer relationship.