[Comparative Study on Morphological Characteristics of Root of Six Species in Sect. Cruciata]

To provide evidences for the identification of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix by comparing the morphological characteristics of six species of Sect. Cruciata (Gentiana macrophylla, G. crassicaulis, G. straminea, G. dahurica, G. officinalis and G. siphonantha).

By microscope, the tissue characteristics with freehand section of the upper, middle and lower of root and the powder characteristics with chloral hydrate were studied.

The vascular cylinder of G. crassicaulis was not split. The vascular cylinder of G. macrophylla, G. dahurica and G. officinalis, were only split in the upper part. The root of G. straminea and G. siphonantha wre completely divided into several smaller roots twisting together. There were a lot of thick walled cells in the powder of G. dahurica, G. straminea and G. siphonantha, but their shapes were different. No thick walled cells were found in the other three species.

There are obviously differences among the microscopic morphological characteristics of root of six species of Sect. Cruciata, which can provide the basis for identification of Gentianae macrophyllae Radix.