MACROSCOPICAL AND MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES ON THE LEAF AND STEM OF CAESALPINIA CRISTA

Abstract

Caesalpinia crista leaves are bipinnate of about six pairs with alternate leaflets while the stem us fibrous, cylindrical hollow and prickly. Microscopical examination revealed the presence of strained cuticle, straight-walled epidermal cells, paracytic stomata, unicellular covering trichomes, fibres, prisms as well as cluster of calcium oxalate crystal and vascular tissues. The stem showed reticulately pitted vessels, cork cells, sclereids (mostly in twos), fibres, starch grains (occurring singly); prisms as well as clusters of calcium oxalate, unicellular covering trichomes and phloem parenchyma.


Key Words: Caesalpinia crista, caesalpiniaceae, microscopy, marcroscopy, leaves, stems


Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.2 1998: 20-23