Identification & Quality Standard
Radix Paeoniae Alba
Botanical Origin
The dried root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Ranunculaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Anhui, Sichuan, Zhejiang.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is thick and long, even, straight, and firm, with a white and powdery fractured surface and lean external surface.
Macroscopic Features
Root is cylindrical, evenly thick and straight, 10~20cm long, 1~1.8cm diameter. Externally pale reddish-brown or pink white; flat or with obvious longitudinal wrinkles and rootlet scars; brown scars at the position of remained cork; occasionally presents with horizontal lenticels. Firm and heavy texture, hardly broken. Fractured surface is grayish-white or with slightly brown; xylem is radial chrysanthemum-like, with obvious layers of rings. Faint odor; taste slightly bitter and sour.
