Xuedang(Ardsia punctata Lindl)is a traditional medicine of Yao nationality commonly used in Guangxi.Plant resources,indication,macroscopic appearance,microscopic char8cteristics,and TLC identification of thecrude drug were studied in comparison witb the easily confusable A. orrota to provide referencial informa-tions for clinics,quality control,development and identification of the Yao medicine.