[Studies on population biology of transitional types of genus Atractylodes in Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the differentiation mechanism of population biology between "Cangzhu" and "Baizhu", commonly used traditional Chinese drugs.

METHOD

The wild populations of Atractylodes in Anhui Province were investigated successively, in which specimens were studied, and the cultivated population was observed.

RESULT

The wild A. macrocephala and A. lancea, A. lancea subsp. luotianensis and A. lancea presented a series of successive transitions, which was caused by the change of ecological environment. A. macrocephala, A. lancea and A. lancea subsp. luotianensis were extreme types of the series of transitions, which were the germplasm of "Baizhu", "Cangzhu" and "Hancangzhu". The transitional types between A. macrocephala and A. lancea were similar of A. japonica, whose effect was the intermediate of "Baizhu" and "Cangzhu".

CONCLUSION

The development and differentatiation of commodites, the source of germplasm and the selection of geo-herbs of "Baizhu", "Cangzhu" and "Hancangzhu" are corresponding with the development of population biology of genus Atractylodes.