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Specific description:

Plant formPerennial herb, usually 30 to 80 cm tall.Stem square in the upper part, nearly rounded in the lower part when old. Leaves opposite, ovate to short-orbicular, 2-8cm long, 1-4cm wide, hirsute on both surfaces, margins coarsely serrated or notched, cauline leaves sessile, mostly 3-parted, sometimes pinnatifid, margins of lobes irregularly serrated. Spikes terminal or borne in axils of upper leaves, usually verrucose-like when in flower, each flower with 1 bract, bracts slightly shorter than calyx, outside hairy; calyx tubular, 5-toothed; corolla tubular, lilac or blue, nearly 2-lipped; stamens 4, dichotomous; ovary 4-loculed, 1 ovule per locule. Divided into 4 oblong nutlets when ripe. Flowering from June to August, fruiting from July to November.

Identification:

Traits of the herb: the stem of this product is cylindrical, multi-branched, with longitudinal grooves on all sides, the surface is greenish-brown, rough; the texture is hard and brittle, and the cross-section is pithy or hollow. Leaves opposite, wrinkled, much broken, greenish brown, the complete one after spreading the leaf blade 3 deep cleft, the edge is serrated. Spikes slender, with a majority of small flowers. It has a slight odor and bitter taste.

Drinking Tablet Characteristics: This product is irregular segments. The stem is square and cylindrical, with longitudinal grooves on all sides, and the surface is greenish brown and rough. The cut surface has pith or hollow. Leaves are much broken, greenish brown, the intact ones are 3-parted after spreading flat, with serrated edges. Spikelike inflorescence, with a majority of small flowers. Gas slightly, taste bitter.