Abstract
ABSTRACT The rhizomes of Polygonatum cirrifolium and Polygonatum verticillatum are well known as members of “Ashta-varga,” a group of eight drugs in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, and highly valued for their rejuvenating, restorative, and activating effects. These two species of Polygonatum can be differentiated from each other on the basis of color, size, microscopy, and HPTLC fingerprint profile. Dried rhizomes of P. cirrifolium are cream colored and smooth surfaced, about 0.4–0.8 cm broad, while P. verticillatum rhizomes are orange-brown in color, rough or sandy surfaced, and 1–2 cm broad. Histologically, the rhizomes are similar in both species, but the roots show a sclerenchymatous central zone in P. verticillatum that is absent in P. cirrifolium. Steroidal saponins were detected in both species, two of which can be used as marker spots to differentiate the two species.
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