The difference between Codonopsis and Angelica

1. Leaf Difference

The leaves of Codonopsis pilosula are alternate and nearly opposite on the twigs. The petiole is 0.5 to 2.5 cm long with sparse short prickles. The leaves are ovate or narrowly ovate, about 1 to 6.5 cm long and about 0.8 to 5 cm wide. The tip of the leaves is slightly obtuse or slightly pointed. The base of the leaves is nearly heart-shaped with wavy blunt serrations on the edges. The branched leaves gradually narrow. The base of the leaves is rounded or cuneate, green on the upper side and gray-green on the lower side.

Angelica leaves are pinnately divided two to three times in tripinnately, with petioles 3 to 11 cm long. The base of the leaves is swollen and purple or green. The basal leaves and lower leaves are oval in outline and 8 to 18 cm long. The surface and edges of the leaves are covered with sparse white fine hairs.

2. Flower Differences

The flowers of Codonopsis pilosula are solitary at the ends of branches, alternate or nearly opposite to the petioles, with pedicels. The calyx is attached to the middle of the ovary, the tube is hemispherical, the lobes are broadly lanceolate or narrowly rectangular, about 1 to 2 cm long and 6 to 8 mm wide. The corolla is broadly bell-shaped, yellow-green in color, with obvious purple spots inside, and the lobes are regular triangles.

Angelica flowers are in compound umbels with peduncles 4 to 7 cm long and covered with fine soft hairs. The umbels have 13 to 36 small flowers. The flowers are white, with long oval petals and narrow and sharp tips.