title: [Numerical taxonomy of medicinal plants of Curcuma in China].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide some new evidences for the classfication and identification of medicinal plants of Curcuma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A numerical taxonomy by means of cluster analysis and principal Component analysis is used. Combined with RAPD analysis, computer image analysis and chemical analysis, the taxonomical relationships of the plants of Curcuma in China were characterized qualitatively and quantitatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plants of Curcuma is systematized into 9 species, 1 species complex, 3 cultivated varieties. A lot of taxonomic confusion and disputations were consequently expounded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-he
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Guo-yue
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Guang-ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Long-yun
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qing-mao
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Shan-yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhong-wu
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Shu
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D030024:Curcuma / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique