Page 71 - Pharmacognosy-I (02-06-06-102)
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Chamomile Flowers BP 2008
(Roman Chamomile)
Definition:
Roman chamomile flower consists of the dried flower-heads of
the cultivated double variety of Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.
(Anthemis nobilis L), family Asteraceae. It contains not less than 7
ml/kg of essential oil.
As a result of long cultivation most of the tubular florets present in
the wild plant have become ligulate.
Chamomile is cultivated in England and France.
Description:
The capitula (flower - heads) are hemispherical 10 to 20 mm
in diameter. The double capitulum of cultivated plant is derived
from the single capitulum of the wild one and differs from it by
showing more numerous ligulate florets. Roman Chamomile can
be differentiated from German Chamomile by the following:
1- Roman Chamomile consists of almost entirely of ligulate
florets with few about 10 to 20 tubular florets near the apex of
the receptacle.
2- The involucre consists of 2 to 3 rows of overlapping bracts
which are 4 to 5 mm long 1.5 mm wide.
3- The receptacle is conical in shape, solid and pithy in texture, it
measures 3 mm in height and 2 mm in diameter.
4- The receptacle carries paleae in the axil of which florets are
situated.
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