Compare the microscopic characteristics of stems of the 24 Dendrobium species utilized in the traditional Chinese medicine “Shihu”

Observing the microscopic characteristics of stems of the 24Dendrobium species, and their main identification features were summarized. The results showed that the identification ofDendrobium requires multiple microscopic characteristics. AbstractShihu is a famous Chinese Materia Medica derived from species of theDendrobium. In order to differentiate 24Dendrobium species, microscopic features of the 24Dendrobium species were systemically observed, including the trend of vascular bundle number with different internodes and the transverse section characteristics of stem. The results indicate that the thickness of cuticle, the level of thickening of epidermal cells and cell types, the number of vascular bundles, the shape of vascular bundle sheath, the type and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals, the presence or absence of silica masses can be used to authenticate the 24Dendrobium species. In addition, the number of vascular bundles in stems of 24Dendrobium species also have changed at different internodes, and showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. For some specific species, the vascular bundle numbers had typical differences, which can provide some support for the identification ofDendrobium plants. Thus, using the multiple microscopic characteristics of stems can identify theDendrobium plants effectively and quickly.
Source: Microscopy Research and Technique - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research