Microscopic and Phytochemical Comparison of the Three Leonurus Species L. cardiaca, L. japonicus, and L. sibiricus

摘要

At least three Leonurus species, Leonurus cardiaca, Leonurus japonicus, and Leonurus sibiricus, are used in various traditional medicinal systems for different therapeutic purposes. The plant names "L. sibiricus" and "L. japonicus" are often used as synonyms, which causes confusion in literature and implies that several studies may be based on improperly identified plant material. To avoid further confusion, the current status of the identification of these three species is illustrated. Characteristics for their unequivocal identification are presented using stereo and light microscopy as well as HPTLC.