Morpho - Playnological study on Ficus religiosa L. Leaves

Abstract

Ficus' is the Latin word for 'Fig', the fruit of the tree. 'religiosa' refers to 'religion'. Ficus religiosa is large glabrous tree, belonging to Moraceae family, it is well known for curing a variety of ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, vaginal disorder, eczema, leprosy, rheumatism etc. The present study was undertaken to investigate the Pharmacognostical parameters of Ficus religiosa. Linn leaves, macroscopical and microscopical characters were evaluated as per standard method. Morphological features of Ficus religiosa leaves, shape is ovate rotund, apex is caudate – acuminate, surface is glabours shiny and coriaceous, stipules are small, sheathing, ovate – lanceolate, acute and caducous, venation is pinnate reticulate. Microscopical characters showed the presence epidermis, collenchyma, parenchyma, cystolith, prismatic crystals, stomata, spirals vessesl etc. In this research article cystolith is investigated for the first time in Ficus religiosa L. Morphology, anatomy and other pharmacognostical studies severs as good taxanomical tools for delimiting taxa.