Nomenclature Clarification of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Baihuasheshecao and Its Adulterants Based on Molecular and Morphological Evidence

Abstract:

Baihuasheshecao is one of the important traditional Chinese medicines and mainly refers to Oldenlandia diffusa but can be adulterated with O. corymbosa in commercial and folk herbal medicine. Because of the longtime taxonomic debate and confusion about the taxonomy of Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex, the scientific names of Baihuasheshecao components were treated under the genus of either Oldenlandia or Hedyotis in practice. In order to clarify the nomenclatural confusion, a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis was conducted on basis of seven plastid loci and two nuclear gene regions from the selected 85 taxa in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). The results demonstrated that O. diffusa should not be a member of Oldenlandia L. but Scleromitrion (Wight & Arn.) Meisn. Five new combinations are accordingly made and a detailed comparison between the two species is provided for identification in future practice.