Abstract:This paper deals with the investigation of the original plants of Rou Congrong and Cao congrong recorded inthe herbalogical works of the past dynasties.The results have shown that Rou Congrong is the dried fleshy stem of Cistanche desedicola and C. salsa,and Cao Congrong is the dried fleshy stem of Orobanche coerulescens.The substi-tutes and false drugs of Rou Congrong were also investigated.