Objective: To provide scientific basis for the utilization and development of vines of Mappianthus iodoides by setting up the quality standards. Method: The pharmacognostical methods were applied. The morphological and histological characters of vines of M. iodoides were observed. The extracts

moisture

total ash

and acid-insoluble ash were determined

and the bioactive constituents were analyzed by TLC and HPLC. Result: The quality specification of vines of M. iodoides were as follows:total ash was not more than 8%;acid-insoluble ash was not more than 3%;moisture was not more than 11%

water extracts not less than 4% and alcohol extracts not less than 3%. The qualitative analysis of taraxerone and taraxerol were performed by TLC and quantitative analysis of vanillin and vanillic acid were performed by HPLC

respectively. Conclusion: The established method can be used for the quality control of vines M. iodoides.