Bai mao gen

Rhizoma Imperatae (Baimaogen) Lalang Grass Rhizome Lalang Grass Rhizome is the dried rhizome of Imperata cylindrica Beauv. var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubb. (Fam. Gramineae). The drug is collected in spring and autumn, washed clean, dried in the sun, removed from fibrous root and membranous leaf sheath, and tied up in small bundle. Description Long cylindrical, 30-60 cm long, 2-4 mm in diameter. Externally yellowish-white or yellowish, slightly lustrous, longitudinally wrinked, nodes distinct and slightly raised, internodes varying in lengths, usually 1.5-3 cm long. Texture, light, somewhat fragile, fracture white in bark, mostly with cracks arranged radially, stele yellowish, easily stripped from cortex. Odourless; taste, slightly sweetish. Identification (1) Heat under reflux 5 g of the coarse powder with 30 ml of benzene for 1 hour, filter. Evaporate 5 ml of the filtrate to dryness, to the residue add 1 ml of acetic anhydride to dissolve, then add 1-2 drops of sulfuric acid; a red colour