What is the difference between Potentilla discolor and Potentilla chinensis?
Potentilla discolor is Potentilla discolor of the Rosaceae family, because the genuine Potentilla discolor is relatively rare both on the market and on the mountains. What is more commonly seen is the same genus Potentilla chinensis used as a counterfeit, because Potentilla chinensis is extremely widely distributed, being abundant in both plains and mountainous areas. But passing it off as the medicinal material Potentilla discolor is absolutely unacceptable! Mixing Potentilla chinensis in as Potentilla discolor violates the provisions of the national pharmacopoeia of Chinese medicinal materials, the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, and also constitutes an illegal act.
1. Where is the difference between Potentilla discolor and Potentilla chinensis?
1. The roots are different
The root of Potentilla discolor is thick and robust, and the lower part is often enlarged and spindle-shaped; whereas the root of Potentilla chinensis is thick and robust, cylindrical, and slightly woody.
2. The leaves are different
The leaflets of Potentilla discolor are oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 1-5 cm long and 0.5-0.8 cm wide, with a rounded-obtuse apex, rarely acute, a cuneate, broadly cuneate or oblique-rounded base, and rounded-obtuse teeth along the margin, rarely acute; the upper surface is dark green, sparsely covered with white cottony hairs or nearly hairless after falling off, and the lower surface is densely covered with white or grayish-white cottony hairs; whereas the leaflets of Potentilla chinensis are opposite or alternate, with the upper leaflets longer and gradually decreasing downward, sessile, oblong, obovate or oblong-lanceolate, 1-5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide, with pinnate-parted margins, the lobes triangular-ovate, triangular-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, with an acute or rounded-obtuse apex, the margin revolute downward; the upper surface is green, covered with short soft hairs or nearly hairless after falling off, with the midrib sunken, and the lower surface is covered with white tomentum and white silky long soft hairs along the veins.
3. The flowering and fruiting periods are different
The flowering and fruiting period of Potentilla discolor is May-September, and the achene is nearly kidney-shaped, about 1 mm wide, and smooth; the flowering and fruiting period of Potentilla chinensis is April-October, and the achene is ovoid, dark brown, with obvious wrinkles.
4. The growing environments are different
Potentilla discolor grows in wasteland, valleys, ditch sides, hillside grasslands, meadows and open forests at an altitude of 100-1850 m; whereas Potentilla chinensis grows in hillside grasslands, gullies, forest edges, shrublands or open forests at an altitude of 400-3200 m.
2. What are the values of Potentilla discolor and Potentilla chinensis?
Potentilla discolor:
1. Medicinal
Potentilla discolor is sweet, slightly bitter, neutral, cold, and slightly astringent in taste. It enters the stomach and large intestine meridians. The whole plant is used as medicine, and it can stop bleeding, clear heat and detoxify, and reduce swelling. It also has antibacterial, antidiarrheal, immunosuppressive, blood sugar-lowering and antitumor effects.
2. Edible
The tuberous root is rich in starch and can be eaten; the tender stems can be eaten as a vegetable after being boiled in boiling water and then soaked.
3. Ecological
The plants are compact, the flowers are brightly colored, and the flowering period is long, making it a good shade-tolerant and flowering ground cover. The plants stay close to the ground and have a very good effect on conserving soil and water.
Potentilla chinensis:
1. Medicinal
The root contains tannins and can be used to extract tannin extract; the whole plant is used as medicine, and it can clear heat and detoxify, stop bleeding, and stop diarrhea.
2. Edible
Its tender seedlings can be eaten and can also be used as pig feed. The tender seedlings are collected in spring, and the whole plant is collected in summer and autumn, washed and used fresh; the whole plant can also be dried in the sun for later use.