[Identification of Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the commonly used Chinese traditional herb Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees. METHODS: The appearance, morphological features and microscopic characteristics were adopted to identify Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees. RESULTS: Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees is an annual herb with typical spike, but without involucre bracts under inflorescence. The corolla appears 2 labiate lips and 2 stamens. The capsularfruit consists of 4 seeds. The stems of the herbs are six-ribbed and cylindrical with the lavender node.The oblong leaves with full margin are wrinkled and bent.The herbs are tasteless. The pollen grains is long-oval shaped with 2-colposate, and the pollen exine presents with concentrated echinate sculpture. Stomata is diacytic type with non-glandular hairs, and mostly consists of 3-5 cells. Glandular scales are more common and composed of 4 cells with intumescent and oblate head. There are numerous long-elliptical or clavate calcium carbonate crystals (cystolith) in the stems and leaves, with papillary protruding. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance, morphological features and microscopic characteristics can be used for the quality identification of Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Nees.