천궁(川芎)의 형태(形態)에 관한 연구(硏究)

A Study on a Morphological Identification of Cnidium Rhizome and Ligusticum Rhizome

Objectives : In order to distinguish Cnidii Rhizoma and Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (cultivated in Korea and China), their external and internal states were observed via microscopic examination. 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 : Cnidii Rhizoma, Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (from Korea), and Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (from China) all demonstrated similar patterns as following : 1. external form 1) showing irregular nodular form with $2{\sim}7cm$ diameter. 2) having several trochites in parallel, and nodulose root trace on surface. 3) in addition to yellow-white or yellow-gray intersections, yellow-brown oil sacs were distributed, with cambium resembling a form of annulus. 2. internal form 1) its root and rhizome is composed of 10 layers of cork, with narrow cortical layers. 2) its phloem is wide, and oval light yellow-brown oil sacs are distributed around. The closer to the cambium, the smaller it is. 3) cambium is a form of a wave-like ring or an irregular polygon. 4) xylem and vessel are rare, most of which are arranged in a 'V' format, and sometimes xylem fiber is found. 5) pith is composed of parenchymatous cell, and parenchyma is full of starch grains. Conclusions : In conclusion, C officinale, L. chuanxiong (from Korea), and L. chuanxiong (from China) have rhizomes in a similar form with no special difference. Therefore, it is concluded that C. officinale, L. chuanxiong (from Korea), and L. chuanxiong (from China) are categorized into the same species.