International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 15 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Micromorphological Keys to Identifying Plant Fragments in Powdered Herbal Drugs

Adeniyi A. Jayeola

Department of Botany and Microbilogy, University of Ibadan. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: (+234) 08023210656.

Accepted 25 November, 2025

Oven dry powdered samples of 6 medicinal plant species were studied anatomically in search of micomorphological characters to identify the original plants used in the preparation. Moistened head of the needle was used to transfer samples unto a labeled glass slide containing 1 - 2 drops of water and glycerol/ethanolTS; covered with cover slip and warmed gently to remove air bubbles. Samples were observed under the microscope in search of intact whole tissues and cells which could be used to identify the species of plant. The main characteristics of the fragments recovered from the samples are, sclereid tissue system and long, branching non-septate fibre of Teprapluera tetraptera (Shum and Thonn.) Taubs; compound bundle sheath in Cymbopon citratus (DC.) Stapf; epidermal furrow and ridges and densely-rayed druses in Hibiscus sabdarifa Linn. ; spindle shaped epidermal cells in Cajanu cajans (Linn.). Millsp; sinous anticlinal wall in Cucuma longa L. and annular type tracheary elements in Azadiracthta indica. There is a suggestion that an examination by microscopy can provide a form of identification of herbal constituent from a prepared remedy.

Key words: Medicinal plant species, Cymbopon citratus, Azadiracthta indica.