[Microscopic identification of dai medicine alpiniae kwangsiensis rhizoma and its confused species].

Objective: To observe microscopic characteristics of rhizome of Alpinia kwangsiensis, Alpinia platychilus, Alpinia blepharocalyx, and to provide basis for their identification.

Methods: Microscopic identification of root transverse section by paraffin tissue section and free-hand section and powder were carried out to distinguish them.

Results: The microscopic identification can be made by cell structure of epidermis and endodermis, the existence of nonglandular hair, the lignification degree of vascular bundle fiber, the number and existence style of vascular bundle fiber, the number and size of tube, and so on. The powder identification can be made mainly according to the existence of nonglandular hair and spiral vessel, the shape of starch grain, and so on.

Conclusion: The microscopic characteristics of rhizome can provide basis for the identification of three Alpinia species.