- 肉苁蓉 ròucōngróng saline cistancheA perennial parasitic plant without chlorophyll, characterized by its fleshy stem and scale-like leaves; its stem is used in traditional medicine to treat the kidneys, stop bleeding, or as a laxative.
- 草苁蓉 cǎocōngróng boschniakiaA type of parasitic annual herb in the Broomrape family; it has a fleshy, purplish-brown stem and thick rootstocks, and is used in traditional medicine