There are many records about the plant origin of Cortex Erythrinae in the past dynasties, but the descriptions were simple and there are many varieties used in different places, which leads to the confusion of Cortex Erythrinae commodities.It is necessary to make a thorough textual research on this herb to get the accurate origin and standardize the use of Cortex Erythrinae. In this paper, according to the plant morphological characteristics, producing areas, habitat, attached drawings of medicinal materials and efficacy, we have made a detailed research on Cortex Erythrinae recorded in the past dynasties. It is concluded that the authentic Cortex Erythrinae contained in the past dynasties should be the dry bark of Bombax malabaricum, which also named as Guanghaitongpi collected in the current local standards of Guangdong province and it is still in use today.The dry bark of Erythrina varlegata var. orientalis and E. arborescens recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia in 1977 should be "Citong" in ancient times. In this paper, based on the systematic and detailed summary of the origin changes, producing area changes and quality evaluation of Cortex Erythrinae, the basis for the correct use of Cortex Erythrinae and the further development and utilization of resources was provided.
Keywords: Cortex Erythrinae; herbal textual; origin; quality evaluation.