Page 92 - Pharmacognosy-I (02-06-06-102)

Microscopic Characters:
Bracts:
Epidermis: polygonal cells with smooth cuticle showing numerous
compositous glandular hairs and long, twisted unicellular woolly
nonglandular hairs.
Hypodrmis: formed of 2-3 layers of lignified sclerenchyma.
Mesophyll: shows cluster crystals of calcium oxalate.
Pollen grains: spherical with smooth exine and 3-germ pores.

Identification of Santonica Powder:

Physical character:
It is grayish-green in colour with aromatic odour and bitter

camphoraceous taste.
Microscopic characters:
1- Numerous pollen grains which are spherical, finely granular or

smooth exine with 3-germ pores and 3 germinal furrows.
2- Fibrous layer.
3- Fragments of epidermis of the bract showing compositous

glandular hairs and unicellular wooly nonglandular hairs.
4- Fragments of lignified hypodermis consisting of elongated

thickened sclerenchyma.
5- Fragments of the corolla showing slightly wavy outer epidermis

and pipillosed inner epidermis.
6- Fragments of papillosed stigma.

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