Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Alternanthera Sessilis (L.) R.Br.ex.DC

Alternanthera sessilis L. is a leafy vegetable used widely for its medicinal properties. The lack of documentation of medicinal plants have lead to the loss of quality in many important plants .The objective of the work was to study the pharmacognostic features of this plant. The study revealed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in both stem and leaves. Extensively longer uniseriate trichome measuring 1227.4-1431.9 µm was observed in powder anaylsis. Macrosclerids and scalariform thickening were characteristic observation in the stem maceration. The vascular bundle showed inter fascicular cambial ring which is an anamolous secondary growth. The phytochemical studies on aqueous extracts of leaf showed positive result for Phenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. This study will help in standardizing and detection of adulterants.