Objective: To perform a systematical study of the southern herbal drug Stephania longa including its plant source

characteristics

microscopic appearance of the stem

leaf and powder. Method: Classical pharmacognostical methods were used to identify the source and characteristics

and the paraffin sections

temporary water tablets and slide with chloral hydrate were used to identifiy and analyse the microscopic structure. Result: The S. longa was characterized by peltate leaves with pinkish-white back

long petiole and gnarled base. The stem angled with suberized epidermis

collateral vascular bundle

the fiber out of the phloem into a wreath. The palisade tissue is short with 2 lines of cells

and some small calsium oxalate crystals or column crystal near the veins. The lower epidermis has many mammary papillas

anomocytic type of stoma

with 4-6 accessory cells. Conclusion: The results can be used as evidence for identification

formulation of the quality-control standards of S. longa .