title: [Studies on macroscopic and microscopic identification of Cordyceps sinensis and its counterfeits].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a rapid, simple, accurate and reproducible identification method from which Cordyceps sinensis can be distinguished from other species.
  
  
  METHODS
  To observe the larva and stroma of Cordyceps family with macroscopic identification method, and with powder microscopic identification method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For macroscopic, only stroma of C. sinensis is mostly non-inflated, and un-obtuse at the tip, the caterpillar annulations of C. sinensis and the C. gracilis is distinct, about 20-30, and feet of above two are 8 pairs, 4 of 8 pairs are relatively distinct. The above appearance shows its unique characteristic. For microscopic identification, only C. sinensis exists microtrichia, the tip is pointed. The arranging order of stubby setae is irregular, the tip is blunt while the basal is gradually broader; the top of some setae bends slightly like a hook.
authors.affiliation: Chinese Medicine Division, Department of Health, Hong Kong 852, China. siutsau@163.com
authors.forename: Siutsau
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Baoling
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhongzhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Markin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Kwokwai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Hubiao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D032661:Cordyceps / Q000145:classification*; D008853:Microscopy