Morpho-anatomy of leaf, stem and root of Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC and Alternanthera pungens Kunth (Amaranthaceae) and its significance in drug identification

Abstract

The present communication deals with morpho-anatomical characters of leaf, stem and root of Alternanthera sesilis and Alternanthera pungens and its signifinace in identification and differentiation of raw drug originated from these species. The plant characters of diagnostic importance are for example colour of stem is green in Alternanthera sesilis and brown in Alternanthera pungens; flower of Alternanthera sesilis possess three stamens while Alternanthera pungens possess five stamens. The study will be useful in confirming the authenticity of raw drug and also serve as a reference for advanced studies of these two such closely related species.