The morphlogical characteristics and cytotoxic acitivity for14 local varieties fo Codonopsis lanceolata collected from Korea were examined to get basic data for breeding and selection of good cultivars. Plant height ranged from 197.2 cm to 253.2 com, that from Beakunsan(No.11) was the highest and and that form Samcheok(No.5) was the lowest. Generally, plant height of those form northern area of Korea tends to be shorter than those from Southern area. Leaf width and length of that form Husando (No. 12) was the largest While that form chejudo(No.4) was the smallest and those from other areas showed no significant difference. As to the number of branches, that form Yanggu(No.1) was theleast and those from other areas did not show Chejudo(No.14) were the heaviest. Among 14 varieties tested, Heongseong(No.3) and Huksando(No.6) exhibited strong cytotoxicity , which showed 45.0 an d62.0μg. ml respectively.

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