• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.61-69
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• 2016

Objectives : This study is to propose discriminative keys with stereoscope for minute seed herbs easily mixed up, but hard to discriminate by naked eyes: Alli Tuberosi Semen(ATS)✳Alli Fistulosi Semen(AFS), Malvae Semen(MS)✳ Abutili Semen(AS), Plantaginis Semen(PS)✳Schizonepetae Semen(SS).Objectives : We reviewed the description of original plants and medicinal herbs from literature. The specimen of original plant were collected, determinated and compared to samples in the market. Primary classification was performed with naked eyes. and we found out other discrimination keys for non-distinctive herbs with stereoscope. Discrimination keys were set as the morphological criteria of authentic herbs, percentage of adulteration, and standards for discriminating genuine herbs from adulteration.Results : 1) ATS is bigger, has reticulate pattern on protuberant side and unique garlic chives taste. AFS which is usually mixed up, is smaller, has 1~2 ridges and unique welsh onion taste. 2) MS is smaller, has no villus, but its length of bumps are similar. AS easily mixed up, is bigger and has white villus. Its upper side bump is longer and more sharp. 3) PS has dent at middle of the back side. It becomes very sticky when it is put or boiled in water. SS which can be mixed up has no dent and low viscosity compared to PS.Conclusions : With this result, we propose discriminative keys which can identify the original plants and processed herbal state of six herbs. Because minute medicinal herbs are hardly distinguishable by sensory test, It is essential to differentiate by using stereoscope.