OBJECTIVETo identify the commonly used Chinese traditional herb (L.) Nees.

METHODSThe appearance, morphological features and microscopic characteristics were adopted to identify (L.) Nees.

RESULTS (L.) Nees is an annual herb with typical spike, but without involucre bracts under inflorescence. The corolla appears 2 labiate lips and 2 stamens. The capsularfruit consists of 4 seeds. The stems of the herbs are six-ribbed and cylindrical with the lavender node.The oblong leaves with full margin are wrinkled and bent.The herbs are tasteless. The pollen grains is long-oval shaped with 2-colposate, and the pollen exine presents with concentrated echinate sculpture. Stomata is diacytic type with non-glandular hairs, and mostly consists of 3-5 cells. Glandular scales are more common and composed of 4 cells with intumescent and oblate head. There are numerous long-elliptical or clavate calcium carbonate crystals (cystolith) in the stems and leaves, with papillary protruding.

CONCLUSIONSThe appearance, morphological features and microscopic characteristics can be used for the quality identification of (L.) Nees.