Page 38 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

• There is a minute thread that lies between the 2 mericarps usually attached
basally to the pedicel and apically to the stylopod, it is called carpophore.
The carpophore is an elongation of the receptacle between the carpels.

• Each mericarp encloses a single seed derived from an anatropous ovule. The
seed shows a large oily endosperm, a small apical embryo, and a raphe in the
middle of the commissural side.

II- Common Histological Characters
▪ The epicarp is formed of polygonal cells with straight anticlinal walls and

are covered by smooth (Fennel) or striated (Ammi visnaga) cuticle. The
stomata are a few anomocytic occasionally of Anisocytic type. The epicarp
may show covering trichomes (Anise) and the cells may contain calcium
oxalate crystals (Visnaga & Coriander). It may be formed of papillosed cells
(Ammi majus).

▪ The mesocarp of each mericarp is mostly parenchymatous and may show
sclerenchyma in the form of a shell (Coriander), pitted lignified parenchyma
(Anise) or reticulate parenchyma (Fennel & Visnaga).

▪ Mostly, the mesocarp of each mericarp is longitudinally traversed by 5
vascular bundles in the primary ridges and by 6 schizogenous secretory ducts
called vittae, 4 on the dorsal surface and 2 on the commissural surface on
both sides of the raphe.

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