Implication of light and scanning electron microscopy of foliar cuticular and palynological features in the correct identification of medicinal plants

摘要

Foliar epidermal anatomy and palynology of six medicinal plant species Catharanthus roseus ., Carum carvi L., Trachyspermum ammi L., Anethum graveolens L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Nigella sativa L. are commonly used for different medicinal uses Six medicinal species were used as an example and their foliar cuticular and pollen features were evaluated by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Features allied to pollen grains (pollen type, colpi,and sculpture type) and foliar cuticular features (epidermis, stomata, and trichome) were found to be important examined characters. Pollen grain morphology of these medicinal plants revealed that the pollen is the prolate and per-prolate type. Their foliar epidermal anatomy revealed the presence of an anomocytic type of stomata in C. roseus , C. carvi and N. sativa , dicytic type in F. vulgare and anisocytic type in A. graveolens .