The difference between Polygonatum sibiricum and Rehmannia glutinosa

1. Leaf Difference

The leaves of Polygonatum sibiricum are arranged in whorls, with 4 to 6 leaves in each whorl. They are linear-lanceolate, 8 to 15 cm long and about 6 to 16 mm wide. The front end of the leaves is bent into a hook.

The leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa usually form a rosette at the base of the stem. The leaves are oval to oblong, green above and slightly purple or purple-red below. They are 2 to 13 cm long and 1 to 6 cm wide, with irregular round teeth or blunt serrations on the edges.

2. Flower Differences

The inflorescence of Polygonatum sibiricum usually has 2 to 4 flowers, which are umbel-shaped, with a peduncle 1 to 2 cm long and a pedicel 4 to 10 mm long. The petals are milky white or light yellow, with a total length of 9 to 12 mm. The bracts are membranous, subulate or linear-lanceolate.

The flowers of Rehmannia glutinosa are slightly arranged in racemes at the top of the stem, or all solitary in the leaf axils and scattered on the stem. The corolla is arched and purple-red on the outside. The corolla has 5 lobes, slightly obtuse or slightly concave at the tip, yellow inside and purple-red outside.