Objective: To study the identification characteristics of Saposhnikoviae Radix and its counterfeit Codonopsis Radix. Methods: Observe the characters and micro-characters of medicinal materials and decoction pieces; Microscopic observation was used to identify the microscopic characteristics of powder and cross section; Qualitative identification was conducted by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and infrared spectrophotometry. Results: There are obvious differences between Saposhnikovia divaricata and Codonopsis pilosula in outer surface color, root position characteristics, section color and smell. The difference between the two sample powders is that Saposhnikovia divaricata contains oil pipes, and the stone cells are rare, oblong or rectangular, and the walls are thick. Codonopsis pilosula contains inulin, connective mammary duct, and stone cells are common, most of which are pointed at one end or one side; The transverse section features that there are many round oil pipes in the phloem of windbreak, and golden yellow secretion can be seen in the pipes; There are many xylem vessels. There are yellowish laticifers scattered in the phloem of Codonopsis pilosula, and few vessels in the xylem. The ultraviolet spectra of Radix Saposhnikoviae and Radix Codonopsis are also obviously different. Conclusion: The method is simple and easy to operate, and its characteristics are obvious and easy to identify,so it can be used to distinguish Saposhnikoviae Radix from Codonopsis Radix.