What are the types of Saposhnikovia divaricata? Introduction to the latest varieties

Saposhnikovia divaricata is the root of the perennial herb Saposhnikovia divaricata in the Apiaceae family, mainly produced in Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and other places. According to different producing areas, commercial Saposhnikovia divaricata can be divided into three types: Guandifangfeng, Koufangfeng and Shuifangfeng. Let us take a look at the differences between these three types of Saposhnikovia divaricata!

Guandifangfeng

Guandifangfeng is an authentic premium grade of Saposhnikovia divaricata. Its outer skin is grayish yellow or grayish brown (darker in color), the branches are thick and long, the texture is glutinous, the flesh is thick and moist, and the chrysanthemum heart in the cross-section is obvious. It is mostly a single branch. The best is especially produced in western Heilongjiang, where the main root is well developed and there are few lateral roots, the skin color is brownish yellow, and the chrysanthemum heart is obvious. It is known as “red-strip Saposhnikovia divaricata”.

Koufangfeng

Koufangfeng, also known as “Xifangfeng”, is Saposhnikovia divaricata mainly produced in central Inner Mongolia and northern Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi and other places. Its surface color is lighter, grayish yellow-white, the strips are long and thin, and some show branches. The top hairs and fibrous roots are more numerous, but the annular markings are fewer than those of Guandifangfeng. The texture is harder and not as soft and moist as Guandifangfeng. The chrysanthemum heart is less obvious than that of Guandifangfeng.

Shuifangfeng

Shuifangfeng, also known as “Sishui Fangfeng”, is mainly produced in the Lingbao, Lushi and Xingyang areas of Henan, southern Shaanxi, and Dingxi, Tianshui and other places in Gansu. Its root strips are relatively thin and short, 10-15cm long and 0.3-0.6cm in diameter, thick at the top and thin at the bottom, conical in shape, with few or no annular markings, mostly branched, light in weight with little flesh, and somewhat woody.