Identification & Quality Standard
Fructus Xanthii
Botanical Origin
The mature fruit with involucre of Xanthium sibiricum Patr.(Asteraceae). Harvest when the fruit matures in autumn, dried, and cleaned stems, leaves and other foreign matter.
Production Regions
Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Shandong, Jiangxi, Hubei, Jiangsu.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, full, yellowish-brown.
Macroscopic Features
Fusiform or oval shape. Externally yellowish-brown or yellowish-green, covered in burrs, apex has two relatively thick thorns, which may be separated or joined together, and base has fruit stem scars. Hard but pliable texture; a septum at the center of the transverse section; 2 loculi, with 1 achene in each loculus. Achene is slightly fusiform with one relatively flat side, apex has one raised stylus base; thin fruit skin, grayish-black, with longitudinal wrinkles. Seed coat is membranous, pale gray, 2 loculi, oily. faint odor; taste slightly bitter.
