Shihu, 石斛

Shihu, 石斛

The dried stem of Orchidaceae.

Dried stem

Medicine

石斛

Noble Dendrobium Stem Herb

Whole herbs

The dried stem of Dendrobium nobile Lindl., Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook. var. oculatum Hook. (Orchidaceae).

Dendrobium nobile Lindl.:
1. Middle and lower portion of stem is flat cylindrical;
2. Externally golden-yellow or greenish-yellow;
3. Deep longitudinal groove and longitudinal lines;
4. Light and brittle texture, fractured surface is relatively loose;
5. Faint odor, bitter taste

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo:
1. thin and long cylindrical, often curved;
2. Externally golden-yellow;
3. Thin longitudinal lines;
4. Soft and pliable texture, fractured surface is relatively flat;
5. Tasteless or slightly bitter taste

Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook. var. oculatum Hook.:
1. Thin and long cylindrical, upper portion has few branches;
2. Externally brownish-yellow;
3. Loose texture, fractured surface is fibrous;
4. Faint odor, slightly bitter taste