[Calcium oxalate crystals in several kinds of Cinnamon bark].

OBJECTIVE

To probe into the morphology and distribution characteristics of calcium oxalate crystals in several kinds of Cinnamon bark.

METHOD

Forty samples of ten different species of Cinamomi Cortex were examined, and the inter-cellular calcium oxalate crystals in the phloem rays were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope.

RESULT

It was found that for samples of the same botanical origin, there is little variation in the crystal morphology following certain regularity. The amount, size and ultra-micromorphologic characteristics are influenced by various factors.

CONCLUSION

The pattern of morphology and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals may well be an index for identification of the crude drug of Cinnamon bark.