Studies on the Microscopic Identification of the Chinese Drug Shi-HuⅡ

Shihu is a famous traditional Chinese Drug used for stimulation of saliva secretion and alliviating thirsts. A recent survey in the market revealed that the commercial drug under the general name "Shi-hu" was derived from more than 20 species of Orchidaceous plants, most of which are the stems of genus Dendrobium, a few belonging to Ephemerantha.The microscopic identification of the stems of 8 species of Dendrobium: D.nobile, D.chrysanthurn, D.lohohense, D.aduncum, D.candidum, D.fimbriatum var. oculatum, D.hancockii, D.williamsonii, has been published previously, And here was reported the others 7 species, namely D.loddigesii, D.aduncum var. effine, D.moniliforme, D.hercoglossum, D.henryi, D.aphyllum, D.jenkinsii.The descriptions of the distinguishing pharmacognostic characteristics of the above-mentioned 15 species with 30 photomicrographs are given in two parts and published inNo. 2, 1980 and the present issue of this journal,