Identification & Quality Standard
Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae
Botanical Origin
The dried root of Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., or Gentiana dahurica Fisch.(Gentiannaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Sichuan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has firm texture, brownish-yellow color, potent aroma.
Macroscopic Features
Gentiana macrophylla Pall: Sub-spherical shape, thick upper portion and thin lower portion, 10~30cm long, 1~3cm diameter. Externally yellowish-brown or grayish-yellow, with longitudinal or wrinkled longitudinal wrinkles, apex has remnants of stem base and fibrous leaf sheaths. Hard and brittle texture, easily broken, fractured surface is slightly oily, cortex is yellow or brownish-yellow, xylem is yellow. Distinctive aroma, bitter and slightly astringent taste. Gentiana straminea Maxim: sub-conical, numerous small roots are tangled and enlarged, up to 7cm diameter. Externally brown, rough, with cracks in reticular lines and holes. Loose and brittle texture, easily broken, fractured surface is often rotten. Gentiana dahurica Fisch: sub-conical or sun-cylindrical, 8~15cm long, 0.2~1cm diameter. Externally brownish-yellow. Often one main root, remnants of stem base and fibrous leaf sheaths, lower portion has branches. Fractured surface is yellowish-white.
