강활(羌活)의 형태(形態) 감별에 관한 연구

A Study on a Morphological Identification of Ostericum Root

Objectives : Southern, northern, and wild types of Osterici Radix, and Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix imported from China are circulated in Korea. Morphological identification was attempted by comparing external and internal forms of these materials. Methods : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and then observed and photographed by olymphus-BHT. Results : 1. Southern type of Osterici Radix has short rhizome and many small and long roots, while northern type of it is mostly composed of rhizomes with little small reds and sometimes looks like bamboo because of the extention of the parts between joints. 2. Parenchymal cell of southern type of Osterici Radix is filled with starch grain, while that of nothern type includes less starch grain with lamination crossed on its cell wall. 3. Surface of root and rhizome of wild Osterici Radix has some marks of fibrous root raised in the form of nodule, but cultivated Osterici Radix does not have this kind of marks. 4. Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix is mostly composed of rhizomes, and its form is similar to that of a silkworm or joints of bamboo. Parenchymal cell is filled with starch grains, and lamination is crossed on its cell wall but not salient. Conclusion : Southern, northern, and wild types of Osterici Radix, and Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix circulated in Korea can be easily identified because of their differences in their external and internal forms.