What is the difference between Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium chrysanthum? Learn to tell them apart easily
Dendrobium officinale is a traditional Chinese medicine that has always been very popular on the market, but it is easily confused with other Chinese medicinal herbs, such as Dendrobium chrysanthum. Below we introducethe difference between Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium chrysanthum.
Difference 1: Different varieties
Dendrobium officinale is also called black-joint grass, Yunnan ironbark, ironbark dou, large black-joint grass, hepatitis grass and so on, and is the species Dendrobium officinale under the genus Dendrobium in the orchid family. Dendrobium chrysanthum is also called yellow grass dendrobium, clustered-flower dendrobium, water-beating stick, golden orchid, large yellow grass and so on, and is the species Dendrobium chrysanthum under the genus Dendrobium in the orchid family.
Difference 2: Different stems and leaves
The stems of Dendrobium officinale are 9-35 cm long, 2-4 mm thick, with internodes 1-2 cm long; the leaves are oblong-lanceolate, 3-4 (-7) cm long, 9-11 (-15) mm wide, with blunt tips that are more or less hooked. The stems of Dendrobium chrysanthum are 0.5-2 m long, 5-15 mm in diameter, with internodes 3-4 cm long; the leaves are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 8-12 cm long, 1.2-2.5 cm wide, with pointed tips and entire margins.
Difference 3: Different flowers
Dendrobium officinale has a raceme, usually emerging from the upper part of the old leafless stem, with 2-3 flowers; the flowers are yellow-green, and the petals are oblong-lanceolate. Dendrobium chrysanthum has an umbel, borne laterally on the upper part of the leafy stem, with each cluster of 2-6 flowers; the flowers are golden yellow, and the petals are obovate-oblong.
Difference 4: Different taste
Both Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium chrysanthum are sweet in taste and slightly cold in nature, and have the effects of promoting fluid production and nourishing the stomach, nourishing yin and clearing heat, moistening the lungs and benefiting the kidneys, and improving eyesight and strengthening the waist. However, Dendrobium officinale has a relatively glutinous texture and can be chewed directly, while Dendrobium chrysanthum leaves more residue.