Morphological & microscopic identification of Curcum albiflora Thw
Journal Title: Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine - Year 2016, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Curcuma albiflora Thw.(Harankaha) is an endemic medicinal plant used in Sri Lankan Traditional Medicine. However, it has not been studied systematically in terms of its identity. Therefore, several other plants have been used as adulterants or substitutes. In order to establish its correct botanical identity, morphological and microscopic studies were carried out on various its plant parts of C. albiflora. Plants were collected from Ratnapura/Kegallearea in flowering season and procedures were performed according to WHO guidelines and other published data. Morphologically, heights of the plant up to 35 ± 5 cm and 5-7 leaves, both surfaces were glabrous. Inflorescence up to 10 x 8 ± 2 cm, but coma bracts were absent. Fertile bract tip rounded and curved (light green). Flower was white with centre yellow tinged on labellum. Rhizome has many primary fingers, and remote tubers were absent, not as C. zedoaria. Microscopically double layer palisade, subsidiaries dicyclic stomata, palisade ratio 1:5-7, and two sizes of prismatic calcium oxalate crystals (5 ± 2 µm, and 10 ± 2 μm) were found in leaf. Stomatal index was 13% in ventral side and 5% in dorsal side of the leaf. Three sizes of starch grains (small: 5-10 μm, medium: 15-25 μm, and large: 30 μm) in rhizome, and collateral vascular bundles were found. External morphologically, the bracts were angularly attached to the inflorescence and lower bracts are spreading which is a differentiation character from the other Curcuma species. Microscopically, absence of crystals in cortical region of rhizome, cup shaped starch grains and double layered palisade cells under the upper epidermis of the leaf were found to be significant features of the identify of C. albiflora.
Authors and Affiliations
T. D. M. C. K. Wijayasiriwardene, H. M. I. C. Herath, G. A. S. Premakumara
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP596281
- DOI -
- Views 85
- Downloads 0
Ayurvedic management of generalized anxiety disorder – A case report
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a common and disabling disorder characterized by persistent worrying, anxiety symptoms and tension about a variety of everyday problems for a period of at least 6 months [1]. The symptoms...
Opportunities for allied health science subjects in Ayurveda research and development
The science behind Ayurveda has been researched by scholars from Ayurvedic and allied science fraternity. Ayurvedic science is offered as bachelor, master and doctoral degrees from Ayurveda medical colleges and universit...
Evaluation of medicinal plants in North-East region relating to maternal and child health care
Maternal and child health care services are composed of specific segment in national health. Many medicinal plants mentioned in Ayurveda for maternal and child health are available in North-East region. In classics these...
The Effect of Anapanasati Meditation on Depression: A Randomized Control Trial
Aim: To study the effect of Anpanasati Meditation on individuals with moderate depression. Methods: A total of 115 participants who were willing to participate in the study were recruited for the study. Anapanasati medit...
Tabasheer (Bambusa arundinaceae Retz.) a plant origin drug of Unani medicine– a review
Herbal drugs have got enormous momentum in global health care. Tabasheer (Bambusa bambos Druce or Bambusa arundinaceae Retz.) is one of the valuable plant resources of the earth. Tabasheer belongs to the family Gramineae...