The difference between Basella alba and Notoginseng

1. Difference of blades

The leaves of Basella alba are nearly circular or ovate, up to 3-9 cm long and about 2-8 cm wide, with a gradually pointed apex, a circular or slightly cordate base, and an entire margin. The veins on the back of the leaves are slightly raised, and the petiole is about 1-3 cm long with grooves.

The leaves of Panax notoginseng are ovate to nearly circular, slightly smaller than the former, about 2-6 cm long, about 1.5-5.5 cm wide, with an acute apex, a circular or cordate base, and entire margins.

2. The difference between flowers

The inflorescence of Basella alba is axillary, with small bracts. The two bracts are calyx-shaped and oblong. The tepals are lavender or light red, ovate-oblong, obtuse at the top, white at the bottom, and the filaments are also white. The anthers are elliptical and light yellow in stigma.

The inflorescence of Panax notoginseng is a raceme with narrow bracts. The lower pair of bracteoles are broadly triangular, while the upper pair are broadly elliptical and then nearly circular. The tepals are white, gradually turning black, and are oblong to elliptical when flowering.