DOCSLIB.ORG

Pharmacognostical Studies on Changeri Oxalis Corniculata Linn

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by PubMed Central Ancient Science of Life Vol. No. XXI (2) October 2001 Pages 120 - 127 PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES ON CHANGERI OXALIS CORNICULATA LINN. (OXALIDACEAE): Z.MARY, K.G. VASANTHA KUMAR, SARASWATHY PASUPATHY AND T. BIKSHAPATHI Regional Research Institute (Ay.) Govt. Central Pharmacy Annexe, Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560 011 Received: 14/3/2000 Accepted: 18/3/2001 ABSTRACT: Pharmacognostical studies on Oxalis corniculate (Changeri) stem and leaves along with pre-liminary phytochemical studies are presented in this paper. INTRODUCTION: Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) Known as extractive values, tests for inorganic and Puliyarai in Tamil, Changeri in Sanskrit is organic constituents. T.L.C. and U.V. an annual growing through out India, fluorescence studies. cultivated in waste lands (Gamble 1947). Changeri possesses Amlakashaya rasa, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leghu rooksha guna, Ushna veerya and Amla Vipaka as therapeutic properties. Fresh plants of Oxalis corniculata was (Sharma P.V. 1983). Changeri is Kapha collected from Bangalore. Free hand vata haram, Deepanam. It is used in diseases sections of stem and leaves were stained and like Grahani, Atisara, Arsa (piles) and mounted., Cell structures were studied Kushta (Skin diseases). Changeri is used in according to kay (1938) Johansen (1940). Ayurvedic preparations like changerigrita Quantitative analysis of the leaf were carried which is used in diseases like Arsa, the physico chemical studied of the dried Grahanidosha, Anaha Mutrakrichara, plant material were carried out according to Pravahika and Gudabramsha. (K. standard procedure (Anonymous 1966)). All Raghunathan and V.N.K. Ramdas 1976). It the reagents used were of GPR Grade. The is used in Siddha preparations like fluorescence studied of the powdered drug Uppuchenduram which is used in the under ultra violet light were carried out treatment of pitta disorder colic, burning according to chase and pratt (1949). T.L.C. sensation of the chest, hyper acidity, Studied were carried out following Igon indigestion and menstrual disorders Stahl (1969) (Anonymous 1972). Leaves of changeri are good source of vitamin C and carotene. The MORPHOLOGY: are rich in calcium and potassium oxalates, citric and tartaric acids, on a perusal of Small procembent herb, stems rooting at literature it is found that no nodes, leaves palmately trifoliate, leaflets pharmacognostical studies of this drug have obcordate, subsessile, flowers yellow and been carried out. Hence the present study is solitary , capsules long linear, five angeled, carried out, the present paper deals with seeds broadly avoid. Plate I. macroscopic and microscopical characters of MACRISCIOUC CGARACTERS: stem and leaves, physico chemical studies, 1 pages 120 - 127 STEM: The stem is slender, terete and mesophy all consists of palisade and spongy pubescent, 0.4 to 1.5 cm long. The parenchyma cells. Vascular bundle small internodes vary form 4.5 to 8.5 cm in length. collateral and surrounded by endodermis. Acidic odour, taste sour when fresh. Lower epidermis consists of thin walled barrel shaped cells. (Fig 9) Epidermal cells LEAF: Leaves plamately trifoliate, in surface view are broad, slightly irregfular obcordate Leaflets 0.5 to 1 cm long with and thin walled showing stomata and reticulate venation. The upper surface hairy, trichomes. Palisade ratio 3to 5. Vein islet no pubescent. Acidic odour, taste sour when 6 to 9, stomatal no.25 to 40 (Fig 10,11)Table fresh. 1, Plate III. MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERS: HISTOCHEMICAL TESTS: Crystals of calcium oxalate are found in the cortical STEM: Transverse section of young stem cells acidic taste of leaf is due to citric acid. shows single layered epidermis covered by Xylem elements gave positive response of cuticle (Fig 1,2,3). Trichomes are long licgnin when stained with phloroglucinol elongated with tapering ends (Fig1) and followed by drop of conc. Hydrochloric cortex consists of 3 to 4 layers of acid. collenchyma cells. The remaining ground tissue is composed of thin walled circular POWDER STUDY: The powder is grey in parenchymatous cells. Endodermis distinct, colour slightly astringent in taste. The vascular bundle collateral open and endarch. powder was sieved through No. 40 Sieve The vessels long, cylindrical with simple cleared in chloral hydrate. Microcopic pits. examination reveals epidermal cells with long elongate trichomes, surface view of Xylem parenchyma cells thin walled and xylem vessels fibres and parenchyma cell rectangular. Tracheids with simple pits. and polygonal cells of epidermis. Behaviour Xylem fibres long, narrow tapering at both of powder on treatment with different ends. Xylem elements lignified. The chemical reagents – Table 2. phloem consists of sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma. There is PHYSICO CHEMICAL STUDIES: The 0 parenchymatous pith I the centre. Plate II. properties like loss on drying at 110 4C ash value, acid insoluble ash, solubility etc. were MIDRIB: The transaction of midrib shows determined. The ash was analysed for single layered epidermal cell, some of the inorganic constituents. The air dried drug epidermal cell shows trichomes. was extracted with petroleum either, Hypodermis consists of sieve tubes, benzene, chloroform and alcohol companion cells, phloem parenchyma. successively using a soxhlet apparatus and Xylem consists of vessels tracheids and the perecentage of each extract was xylem parenchyma (Fig 8) determined. The values are given in table 3. The above four extracts were screened for LAMINA: The transaction of lamina shows organic constituents and the results are given a single layer upper epidermis. The cells of in Table 6. upper epidermis are bigger in size. The trichomes are present on both surfaces. THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHIC Stomata are seen on both surfaces. The STUDIES: 2 pages 120 - 127 FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS: T.L.C studies of the above four extracts were carried out in various solvent systems The powdered drug was sieved through No. at 30oC using silica gel G as adsorbent, the 120 mesh and the fine powder was treated spray being 15% H2 SO4 in methanol and with different solvents. The fluorescence 50% H2SO4 in methanol. The Rf values are characters of the powder in each solvent recorded in Tables 5. under ordinary and ultraviolet light (both short and long wave Table (1) Measurement of different tissues and cells(-) Stem Epidermis T-9-11-15x5-7 P.Cortex T-20-35-45x25-45 Vessels M-75-85-90x22-35 Tracheids M-45-55-60x10-20 Fibre M-65-75-95x5-6 Lamina Upper epidermis T-7-9-13x6-12 Palisade T-8-12-15x10-15 Spongy parenchyma T-10-13-15x10-15 Lower epidermis T-5-7-9x5-7 Trichomes T-95-200-258x10-25 Table (2) Behaviour of powder on treatment with different chemical reagents. Treatment Observation Powder + Con. Sulphuric acid Black Powder + Nitric acid Brown Powder + Picric acid (saturated) Yellow Powder + Acetic acid Light green Powder + 5% Iodine solution Light green Powder + 5% Ferric chloride Green Powder + 10% Sodium hydroxide Followed by a drop of Copper sulphate solution Dark green Powder + 40% Sodium hydroxide plus Few drops of 10% Lead acetate No Change Powder + Acetic acid + Con. H2 SO4 Green Powder + con. NHO3 & excess of ammonia Dark brown Powder + Acetic acid +traces of ferric chloride and Transferred to the surface of Con. H2 SO4 Pinc black and & then brownish. 3 pages 120 - 127 Table (3) Physico-chemical characters 1. Loss on drying at 110-C %(w/w) -5.67 2. Loss on ignation %(w/w) -15.88 3. Acid insoluble ash %(w/w) -0.86 4. Solubility %(w/w) a. In ethyl alcohol -11.25 b. In wate -12.1 5. Extractive values%(w/w) a. Pet ether -6.5 b.Benzene -0.91 c.Chloroform -0.53 d.Ethyl alcohol -2.53 Table (4) Fluorescence analysis of powdered drug. Treatment Colour under Colour under UV Light ordinary light Short wave 254 Long wave 365 mµ mµ Powder as such Light grey Light brown Dark brown Powder + Dirty green Violet Dark brown 1N.NaOH in methanol Powder + Brownish green Dark violet Dark maroon 1N.NaOH in water Powder + 50% HCI Dark grey Dark violet Black Powder + 50% Grey Grey Black NHO3 Powder + 50% H2 SO4 Black Yellowish green Dark green Grey Green Dark green Powder + Methanol Grey with Grey Black Powder + Water Violet tinge 4 pages 120 - 127 Table (5) Layer Chromatography . Rf Values. Extractives Adsorbent Solvent system Developer/spray Rf Values Pet. Ether Silica gel G Benzene,ethanol 15% H2 SO4 in n- 0.17 (60-80) (80:20) butanol 0.12 0.24,0.41 0.52 0.67,0.9 Benzene Silica gel G Benzene,ethanol 15% H2 SO4 in n- 0.05,0.25 (80:20) butanol 0.30 0.41,0.49 0.67 0.87 Chloroform Silica gel G Benzene,ethanol 15% H2 SO4 in 0.26,0.33,0.4, (45:45:10) Methanol 0.53,0.62 0.75 0.96 Alcohol Silica gel G Chloroform 15% H2 SO4 in 0.2,0.36,0.64,0.73 Methanol Methanol 0.79,0.87 (60:25) 0.96 Table (6) Organic constituents Extracts Petroleum ether Benzene Chloroform Ethanol 60-80 Total % by 6.5 Greenish 0.91 Greenish 0.53 Greenish 2.53 Dark brown Wt. brown Syrup black Syrup brown Syrup Gum Physical appearance Condistancy Steroid + + - - Sugar - - - + Alkaloid - - - - Phenol + + + - Flavone - - - + Saponin - - - + Tannin - - - + SUMMARY: with chemical, fluorescence and T,L.C studies are presented. Oxalis corniculata (Changeri) is one of the important drugs used in siddha and ACKNOWLELDGEMENT: Ayurvedic systems of medicine for the treatment of dyspepsia, piles, anaemia and The authors are thankful to the Director, skin diseases. In this paper macro and C.C.R.A.S., New Delhi, for providing microscopical characters of the plant along facilities and interest shown in this work. 5 pages 120 - 127 Thanks to Smt.Sonal Vyawaharee and Sri H.S.
Recommended publications
  • Draft Conservation Advice: Natural Damp Grasslands of the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion Ecological Community

    Draft Conservation Advice: Natural Damp Grasslands of the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion Ecological Community

    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Draft <Approved> Conservation Advice for the Natural Damp Grasslands of the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion 1. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) was established under the EPBC Act and has obligations to present advice to the Minister for the Environment (the Minister) in relation to the listing and conservation of threatened ecological communities, including under sections 189, 194N and 266B of the EPBC Act. 2. The Committee provided its advice on the Natural Damp Grasslands of the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion ecological community to the Minister as a draft of this <approved> conservation advice. In 2014, the Minister <accepted / rejected> the Committee’s advice, <adopting it as the approved conservation advice>. 3. <If accepted> The Minister amended the list of threatened ecological communities under section 184 of the EPBC Act to include the Natural Damp Grasslands of the South East Coastal Plain Bioregion ecological community in the <critically endangered> category. Part of the ecological community is also listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 in Victoria, as the Plains Grassland (South Gippsland) Community. 4. A draft description for this ecological community was made available for expert and public comment for a minimum of 30 business days. The Committee and Minister had regard to all public and expert comment that was relevant to the consideration of the ecological community. 5. This <approved> conservation advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time it was <approved>; this includes scientific literature, advice from consultations, existing plans, records or management prescriptions for this ecological community.
  • Plant Life of Western Australia

    Plant Life of Western Australia

    INTRODUCTION The characteristic features of the vegetation of Australia I. General Physiography At present the animals and plants of Australia are isolated from the rest of the world, except by way of the Torres Straits to New Guinea and southeast Asia. Even here adverse climatic conditions restrict or make it impossible for migration. Over a long period this isolation has meant that even what was common to the floras of the southern Asiatic Archipelago and Australia has become restricted to small areas. This resulted in an ever increasing divergence. As a consequence, Australia is a true island continent, with its own peculiar flora and fauna. As in southern Africa, Australia is largely an extensive plateau, although at a lower elevation. As in Africa too, the plateau increases gradually in height towards the east, culminating in a high ridge from which the land then drops steeply to a narrow coastal plain crossed by short rivers. On the west coast the plateau is only 00-00 m in height but there is usually an abrupt descent to the narrow coastal region. The plateau drops towards the center, and the major rivers flow into this depression. Fed from the high eastern margin of the plateau, these rivers run through low rainfall areas to the sea. While the tropical northern region is characterized by a wet summer and dry win- ter, the actual amount of rain is determined by additional factors. On the mountainous east coast the rainfall is high, while it diminishes with surprising rapidity towards the interior. Thus in New South Wales, the yearly rainfall at the edge of the plateau and the adjacent coast often reaches over 100 cm.
  • Acute and Sub-Chronic Pre-Clinical Toxicological Study of Averrhoa Carambola L

    Acute and Sub-Chronic Pre-Clinical Toxicological Study of Averrhoa Carambola L

    Vol. 12(40), pp. 5917-5925, 2 October, 2013 DOI: 10.5897/AJB10.2401 ISSN 1684-5315 ©2013 Academic Journals African Journal of Biotechnology http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB Full Length Research Paper Acute and sub-chronic pre-clinical toxicological study of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) Débora L. R. Pessoa, Maria S. S. Cartágenes, Sonia M.F. Freire, Marilene O. R. Borges and Antonio C. R. Borges* Federal University of Maranhão, Physiological Science Department, Pharmacology Research and Post-Graduate Laboratory. Av. dos Portugueses. S/N, Bacanga, São Luís – Maranhão-Brazil, CEP 65085-582. Accepted 18 June, 2013 Averrhoa carambola L., a species belonging to the Oxalidaceae family, is associated with neurological symptoms in individuals with renal diseases. The objective of this work was to accomplish a pre- clinical toxicological study of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) from A. carambola leaves. Wistar rats and Swiss mice, both male and female, were used in these experiments. The rats were used in the acute toxicity assessment, with the extract administered at doses of 0.1 to 8.0 g/kg (oral route), and 0.5 to 3.0 g/kg (via intraperitoneal route). The mice received the extract in doses of 0.5 to 5.0 g/kg (via oral and intraperitoneal routes) and were observed for 14 days. Rats were also used in the sub-chronic toxicity evaluation, and divided into three groups (n=10): control group, HE 0.125 g/kg and HE 0.25 g/kg. These animals received HE for a 60 day period, at the end of which a macroscopic analysis of selected organs was performed with biochemical analysis of the blood.
  • Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Oxalis Corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd

    Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Oxalis Corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd

    Anti-proliferative and proteasome inhibitory activity Discoveryof Murraya koenigii Phytomedicine … 2015; 2 ( 3 ) : 18 - 22 . doi: 10.15562/phytomedicine.2015.2 Bindu Noolu & 6 Ayesha Ismail www.phytomedicine.ejournals.ca MINI REVIEW Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd. Imran Khan ABSTRACT Oxalis corniculata is commonly known as Indian wood Sorrel. In Unani it is called as Hummaz and distributed in the whole northern temperate zone, United State of America, Arizona and throughout India. Oxalis corniculata is used in Unani medicine in the management of liver disorders, jaundice, skin diseases, urinary diseases etc. The plant been proven to possess various pharmacological activities like liver tonic, appetizer, diuretic, anthelmintic, emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, blood purifier etc. Here we summarize the therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata. Keywords: Hummaz, Unani medicine, Oxalis corniculata, Indian wood sorrel Introduction Therapeutic uses Oxalis corniculata Linn. is a well-known Bustani Hummaz (garden variety) is plant described in ancient text of Unani physician beneficial in the treatment of safrawi amraz by the name of Hummaz. It belongs to the family (bilious diseases). Gargling with decoction of its Oxalidaceae which comprises 8 genera and 900 leaves relieves marze akala (stomatitis), it has species being prevalent in the tropics and beneficial effect in treating bilious vomiting, and subtropics and having richest representation in palpitation. Its lotion is used as a wash for snake Southern Hemisphere. In India 2 genera and a bite, the decoction of leaves is used in treatment dozen of species have been reported. It has of Khanazir (cervical lymphadenitis) and paste of delicate-appearance, low growing and herbaceous leaves is used to treat skin diseases like Quba plant.
  • Flora of South Australia 5Th Edition | Edited by Jürgen Kellermann

    Flora of South Australia 5Th Edition | Edited by Jürgen Kellermann

    Flora of South Australia 5th Edition | Edited by Jürgen Kellermann KEY TO FAMILIES1 J.P. Jessop2 The sequence of families used in this Flora follows closely the one adopted by the Australian Plant Census (www.anbg.gov. au/chah/apc), which in turn is based on that of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG III 2009) and Mabberley’s Plant Book (Mabberley 2008). It differs from previous editions of the Flora, which were mainly based on the classification system of Engler & Gilg (1919). A list of all families recognised in this Flora is printed in the inside cover pages with families already published highlighted in bold. The up-take of this new system by the State Herbarium of South Australia is still in progress and the S.A. Census database (www.flora.sa.gov.au/census.shtml) still uses the old classification of families. The Australian Plant Census web-site presents comparison tables of the old and new systems on family and genus level. A good overview of all families can be found in Heywood et al. (2007) and Stevens (2001–), although these authors accept a slightly different family classification. A number of names with which people using this key may be familiar but are not employed in the system used in this work have been included for convenience and are enclosed on quotation marks. 1. Plants reproducing by spores and not producing flowers (“Ferns and lycopods”) 2. Aerial shoots either dichotomously branched, with scale leaves and 3-lobed sporophores or plants with fronds consisting of a simple or divided sterile blade and a simple or branched spikelike sporophore ..................................................................................
  • Research Article

    Research Article

    Received: 10th Jan-2014 Revised: 13th Jan-2014 Accepted: 18th Jan-2014 Research article EVALUATION OF LEAF EXTRACT OF SOME MEDICINAL WILD PLANTS ON THE GROWTH AND SPORULATION OF PAECILOMYCES LILACINUS Rushda Sharf, Hisamuddin, Abbasi and Ambreen akhtar Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002 Email: [email protected] ABSRACT-: In vitro experiment was conducted to determine the effect of leaf extracts of five medicinal wild plant viz, Chenopodium album, Eclipta prostrata, Euphorbia pulcherima, Oxalis corniculata and Stellaria media on the growth and sporulation of fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus. The effect of the leaf extracts of these medicinal wild plant was noted at the different time interval such as, 24hrs, 48hrs, 72hrs, 96hrs and 120hrs. After 120 hrs the maximum mycelial growth was observed in Oxalis corniculata and minimum in Euphorbia pulcherima. However maximum number of spores/cm2 was recorded in Eclipta prostrata and minimum in Stellaria media. Keywords-: Leaf extract, Medicinal plants, Paecilomyces lilacinus. INTRODUCTION Medicinal plants as a group, comprise approximately 8,000 species and account for around 50% of all the higher flowering plant species of India. India possesses almost 8% of the estimated biodiversity of the world with around 0.126% million species. India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity centers with 2 hot-spot of biodiversity in Western Ghat and North-Eastern Region. Chenopodium album It is the fast growing weedy plant belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae. Plant bears seeds which are high in protein, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. The leaves contain considerable amount of soluble oxalate that interact with calcium and induces hypocalcemia.
  • Further Observations on the Oxalis Dillenii Group (Oxalidaceae)

    Further Observations on the Oxalis Dillenii Group (Oxalidaceae)

    Nesom, G.L., D.D. Spaulding, and H.E. Horne. 2014. Further observations on the Oxalis dillenii group (Oxalidaceae). Phytoneuron 2014-12: 1–10. Published 6 January 2014. ISSN 2153 733X FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE OXALIS DILLENII GROUP (OXALIDACEAE) GUY L. NESOM 2925 Hartwood Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76109 www.guynesom.com DANIEL D. SPAULDING Curator of Collections Anniston Museum of Natural History 800 Museum Drive/P.O. Box 1587 Anniston, Alabama 36202 www.annistonmuseum.org HOWARD E. HORNE Barry A. Vittor and Associates, Inc. 8060 Cottage Hill Road Mobile, Alabama 36695 [email protected] ABSTRACT Oxalis macrantha (synonym = O. priceae ) is mostly restricted to limestone substrates (glades, chalk prairies, etc.) in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama and is characterized by its completely hirsute-pilose stems, strongly rhizomatous-colonial habit, and large, red-lined corollas. Oxalis colorea also produces hirsute-pilose stems but the distal portions and the pedicels tend to be loosely strigose, and it also differs from O. macrantha in its less colonial habit and generally smaller corollas with a variable tendency to produce distinct red lines. Where their ranges meet, O. colorea apparently intergrades with O. florida , which, in its most distinct form, is a species of the Atlantic coastal plain, although plants in Texas, Louisiana, southwestern Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri also are identified here as O. florida . Oxalis texana produces densely and closely strigose stems like those of O. dillenii but differs in its larger, red-lined corollas, less colonial habit, and (in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas) characteristically woodland habitat; it is centered in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, but as identified here it also occurs in a disjunct system in southern Alabama and adjacent Florida.
  • Evolution Along the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Continuum

    Evolution Along the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Continuum

    Review CSIRO PUBLISHING www.publish.csiro.au/journals/fpb Functional Plant Biology, 2010, 37, 995–1010 Evolution along the crassulacean acid metabolism continuum Katia SilveraA, Kurt M. Neubig B, W. Mark Whitten B, Norris H. Williams B, Klaus Winter C and John C. Cushman A,D ADepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MS200, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557-0200, USA. BFlorida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA. CSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute, PO Box 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panama. DCorresponding author. Email: [email protected] This paper is part of an ongoing series: ‘The Evolution of Plant Functions’. Abstract. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a specialised mode of photosynthesis that improves atmospheric CO2 assimilation in water-limited terrestrial and epiphytic habitats and in CO2-limited aquatic environments. In contrast with C3 and C4 plants, CAM plants take up CO2 from the atmosphere partially or predominantly at night. CAM is taxonomically widespread among vascular plants andis present inmanysucculent species that occupy semiarid regions, as well as intropical epiphytes and in some aquatic macrophytes. This water-conserving photosynthetic pathway has evolved multiple times and is found in close to 6% of vascular plant species from at least 35 families. Although many aspects of CAM molecular biology, biochemistry and ecophysiology are well understood, relatively little is known about the evolutionary origins of CAM. This review focuses on five main topics: (1) the permutations and plasticity of CAM, (2) the requirements for CAM evolution, (3) the drivers of CAM evolution, (4) the prevalence and taxonomic distribution of CAM among vascular plants with emphasis on the Orchidaceae and (5) the molecular underpinnings of CAM evolution including circadian clock regulation of gene expression.
  • Biophytum DC (Oxalidaceae)

    Biophytum DC (Oxalidaceae)

    Proc, lndian Acad. Sci. (Plant Sci.), Vol. 95, No. I, August 1985, pp. 17-19. Printed in India. Seed morphology in tire species of Biophytum DC (Oxalidaceae) S M FAROOQUI, N RAMA SWAMY and BIR BAHADUR Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal 506009. India. MS received 28 November 1984; revised 15 June 1985 Abstract. Seeds of Biophytum viz B. helenae, B. intermedium, B. petersianum, B. reinwardtii and B. sensitivum are brownish, small (0,87 to 1-63 mm long), tuberculate and show distinct orientations of ridges and furrows and crystalliferous epidermal cells. On the basis of these characters a key is proposed to delimit the five species of Biophytum. Keywords. Biophytum; seed morphology; ta• significance. 1. Introduction Biophytum DC (Oxalidaceae) comprises about 70 species dist¡ in the tropics (Willis 1973). Although its seed characters have been used for taxonomic purposes (Gamble 1957; Veldkamp 1971; Corner 1976), the seed microcharacters have not been studied. We describe the testa characters of five species of Biophytum. 2. Materials and methods Seeds of Biophytum helenae Busc & Musc, B. intermedium Wight, B. petersianum Klotzch, B. reinwardtii Edgw & Hook and B. sensitivum L. were locally collected and also obtained from Jardin Botanique, Strasbourg, France. The structure of the pellicle was studied from mate¡ collected from the freshty dehisced capsule, and this paper gives the details of the testa from a portion of seed coat separated from the water- soaked seeds and mounted in 1 o~ glycerine. Exomorphic features were studied using a Meopta binocular microscope. Seed length and breadth were measured using ocular and stage micrometers and ah average of 25 seeds of each species was considered.
  • On the Flora of Australia

    On the Flora of Australia

    L'IBRARY'OF THE GRAY HERBARIUM HARVARD UNIVERSITY. BOUGHT. THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA, ITS ORIGIN, AFFINITIES, AND DISTRIBUTION; BEING AN TO THE FLORA OF TASMANIA. BY JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER, M.D., F.R.S., L.S., & G.S.; LATE BOTANIST TO THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. LONDON : LOVELL REEVE, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. r^/f'ORElGN&ENGLISH' <^ . 1859. i^\BOOKSELLERS^.- PR 2G 1.912 Gray Herbarium Harvard University ON THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA ITS ORIGIN, AFFINITIES, AND DISTRIBUTION. I I / ON THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA, ITS ORIGIN, AFFINITIES, AND DISTRIBUTION; BEIKG AN TO THE FLORA OF TASMANIA. BY JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER, M.D., F.R.S., L.S., & G.S.; LATE BOTANIST TO THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. Reprinted from the JJotany of the Antarctic Expedition, Part III., Flora of Tasmania, Vol. I. LONDON : LOVELL REEVE, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1859. PRINTED BY JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, LITTLE QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS. CONTENTS OF THE INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. § i. Preliminary Remarks. PAGE Sources of Information, published and unpublished, materials, collections, etc i Object of arranging them to discuss the Origin, Peculiarities, and Distribution of the Vegetation of Australia, and to regard them in relation to the views of Darwin and others, on the Creation of Species .... iii^ § 2. On the General Phenomena of Variation in the Vegetable Kingdom. All plants more or less variable ; rate, extent, and nature of variability ; differences of amount and degree in different natural groups of plants v Parallelism of features of variability in different groups of individuals (varieties, species, genera, etc.), and in wild and cultivated plants vii Variation a centrifugal force ; the tendency in the progeny of varieties being to depart further from their original types, not to revert to them viii Effects of cross-impregnation and hybridization ultimately favourable to permanence of specific character x Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection ; — its effects on variable organisms under varying conditions is to give a temporary stability to races, species, genera, etc xi § 3.
  • Oxalis Oregana “Oregon Sorrel”, “Redwood Sorrel”

    Oxalis Oregana “Oregon Sorrel”, “Redwood Sorrel”

    Oxalis oregana “Oregon Sorrel”, “Redwood Sorrel” Oxalidaceae Family The Redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) is a small herbaceous perennial plant. It can be found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. Mostly near the coasts of these territories. The redwood sorrel prefers deep shade and moist, acidic soil. It has a low drought tolerance. It can’t grow in direct sunlight. The leaves of the redwood sorrel will actually curl and close up when too much light hits them. Soon after the light is gone the leaves will unfold and return to their normal flat position. Redwood sorrel grows in redwood and Douglas fir forests because all the trees provide enough shade for proper growth. Seeds and root cuttings carry out redwood sorrel reproduction. Rhizomes divide in early spring while seeds appear throughout the summer. The redwood sorrel looks similar to a shamrock. The large shamrock leaves rest upon thin stalks and measure between 2-8 inches long. The leaves are bright green and have a purple underside. In early summer, white flowers are produced that have five petals and ten stamens, which produce the seeds. Native Americans ate redwood sorrel. It is also said to have a high amount of vitamin C. It can be ingested to help an upset stomach, but it is advised too eat small amounts because it contains a mildly toxic substance called oxalic acid. Too much of this acid can cause health problems to whoever eats it. Redwood sorrel, along with others in the sorrel family, is an invasive species. It can be hard to control if let grow untended.
  • Oxalis Pes-Caprae L

    Oxalis Pes-Caprae L

    A WEED REPORT from the book Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States This WEED REPORT does not constitute a formal recommendation. When using herbicides always read the label, and when in doubt consult your farm advisor or county agent. This WEED REPORT is an excerpt from the book Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States and is available wholesale through the UC Weed Research & Information Center (wric.ucdavis.edu) or retail through the Western Society of Weed Science (wsweedscience.org) or the California Invasive Species Council (cal-ipc.org). Oxalis pes-caprae L. Buttercup oxalis (Bermuda buttercup) Family: Oxalidaceae Range: In the western U.S., it occurs in California and Arizona. Habitat: Coastal dunes, scrub, grasslands, oak woodlands, gardens, turf, urban areas, orchards, vineyards and agricultural fields. Grows in most environments and can tolerate many soil types. Grows in full sun in cool coastal areas, but inland it grows primarily in semi-shaded sites. Origin: Native to South Africa and brought to North America as a garden ornamental. Impacts: Buttercup oxalis is a major problem in field-grown flowers and in the home landscape, especially in groundcovers. In the last 10 years, this plant has spread extensively throughout California invading native coastal dunes and natural areas along the coast. Due to its extensive occurrence in yards and gardens, buttercup oxalis has the potential to rapidly spread via the production of bulbs and the movement of contaminated soils into adjacent natural areas. Plants contain variable quantities of soluble oxalates and can be lethally toxic to livestock when ingested in quantity.