Bai Qian

Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii (Baiqian) Willowleaf Swallowwort Rhizome Willowleaf Swallowwort Rhizome is the dried rhizome and root of Cynanchum stauntonii (Decne.) Schltr. ex Lvl. or Cynanchum glaucescens (Decne.) Hand.-Mazz. (Fam. Asclepiadaceae). The drug is collected in autumn, wash clean, and dried in the sun. Description Rhizome of Cynanchum stauntonii Slenderly cylindrical, branched somewhat curved, 4-15 cm long, 1.5-4 mm in diameter, externally yellowish-white or yellowish-brown, obviously nodose, internodes 1.5-4.5 cm long, remains of stem at apex; Texture fragile, fracture hollowed. Numerous fine curved root and rootlets fascicled at nodes, up to 10 cm long, less than 1 mm in diameter, much-branched and appearing hairy-fibrous, usually coiled each other in a mass. Odour, slight; taste, sweetish. Rhizome of Cynanchum glaucescens Relatively shorter and smaller, or slightly lump-shaped; externally greyish-green or greyish-yellow, internodes 1-2 cm long; Texture relatively hard. Ro