Herbal Textual Research on Names and Original Plants of Polygonati Rhizoma

Polygonati Rhizoma is a kind of restoratives of traditional Chinese medicine, with a long historical standing and numerous clinical applications. However, by the complexity of source species and the phenomenon of homonym, Polygonati Rhizoma has the problems of various varieties, mixed and unsystematic combing. Due to the lack of textual research on the names and corresponding varieties of Polygonati Rhizoma in past dynasties, it affects the quality control, clinical efficacy and scientific development and utilization of resources. On the basis of consulting the ancient herbal books, local chronicles and modern research literature of materia medica in previous dynasties, this study systematically verified the name of polygonatum,corrected the source, clarified its correct name and synonym, and discussed the relationship between its name and source species by using the technical means of modern plant taxonomy and ecological suitability zoning of traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that there were numer synonym of Polygonatum in ancient and modern times, and there were many aliases in each variety. The systematic textual research found that in addition to three Polygonatum species recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, including P. kingianum, P. sibiricum and P. cyrtonema, there were P. oppositifolium, P. zanlanscianense Pamp and P. verticillatum can be used as Polygonati Rhizoma. The above resources can be further expioited. In modern times, P.cyrtonema in Jiuhua mountain is the best, while in ancient times, Polygonatum in Songshan mountain and Maoshan mountain and P. zanlanscianense Pamp are the best. The reasons for the great differences need to be further explored.