Evaluation of pharmacognostic and physicochemical parameters of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. Flowers

The flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. (Lythraceae) are reported to have good medicinal values in traditional system of medicines. Present work deals with the pharmacognostical examination of macroscopic and microscopical characters of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. flowers including detailed anatomy of the pedicel, calyx, pollen grain, anther lobe and ovary. Powder studies showed presence of rosette and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, annual xylem and unicellular trichome. The physiochemical properties such as loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water soluble ash value solubility, melting point, pH and extractive values and of flower were carried out. The results of the study could be useful for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.