SEM III Record

Annonaceae – Annona squamosa (Custurd apple)

Habit :  small sized tree  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched

Stem : Aerial, erect , woody and branched.

Leaves : simple, alternate, petiolate, entire and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Solitary cyme in the axils of  leaves.

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, trimerous and hypogynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 3, free / united at base, valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 3, free, valvate aestivation.

The thalamus forms a large convex structure above the perianth, on which essential organs are spirally arranged.

Androecium :  Stamens numerous, arranged spirally on the thalamus, filament short and thick, adnate and extrose.

Gynoecium : Carpels many, spirally arranged on the receptacle, apocarpus, ovary superior, unilocular, one ovule in the ovary in parietal placentation.

Fruit :  Aggregate of berries.

Floral formulae :

Capparidaceae  – Cleome viscosa

Habit :  small herb

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched

Stem : Aerial, erect , herbacious and  branched

Leaves : simple, alternate, trifoliate, stipulate, petiolate,  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Solitary cyme in the axils of  leaves.

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, tetramerous and hypogynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 4, free (polysepalous), valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 4, free (polypetalous), valvate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens numerous, anthers bithecous, basifixed and introrse.

Gynoecium : Carpels 2, syncarpus, ovary superior, a stalk is elongated between androecium and gynoecium in the form of Gynophore, unilocular, many  ovules in the ovary arranged in parietal placentation.

Fruit :  Capsule

Rutaceae – Citrus aurantium  (lemon)

Habit :  small sized tree  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched

Stem : Aerial, erect , woody and branched.

Leaves :  unipinnately compound, alternate, petiole modified into wing, entire,  gland dotted and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Solitary cyme in the axils of  leaves.

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous. A nectar secreting disc is present at the base of the ovary.

Calyx :  Sepals 5,  united , valvate/ imbricate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, free, valvate / imbricate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens numerous, united to form several bundles ( polydelphous condition). Anthers bithecous, basifixed and introrse.

Gynoecium :  It is raised on a nectar secreting disc. It is pentacarpous, syncarpous and the ovary is superior,  multilocular, 1 - many  ovules in the ovary in axile placentation.

Fruit :  Hesperidium

Floral formulae :

Fabaceae – Tephrosia purpurea 

Habit :  Annual herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched and bears  root  nodules.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbacious and branched.

Leaves :  alternate, petiolate, pinnately compound,  leaf base pulvinous  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Simple raceme.

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, zygomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous/ perigynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 5, gamosepalous, valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, free, Papilionaceous. The posterior odd petal is larger in size known as standard / vexillum, which encloses the wings/ alea. This wing petals in turn encloses the anterior petals keel/ carina, in turn which encloses essential organs. This type of aestivation is known as descending imbricate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens 10, arranged in 2 bundles of (9) +1, diadelphous condition, anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : monocarpellary,  ovary superior, unilocular, many ovules  marginal placentation.

Fruit :  Legume/ pod  splitting along dorsal and ventral sutures.

Floral formulae : 

Caesalpinaceae – Caesalpina pulcherrima 

Habit :  mall sized tree / shrub 

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , woody  and branched.

Leaves :  alternate, petiolate, bipinnately compound,  leaf base pulvinous  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Simple raceme ( Corymb)

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, zygomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 5, polysepalous, valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, free, Polypetalous. The posterior odd petal is smaller in size. The aestivation is known as ascending imbricate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens 10, arranged in 2 bundles of 5 +5,  anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : monocarpellary,  ovary superior, unilocular, many ovules  marginal placentation.

Fruit :  Legume/ pod  splitting along dorsal and ventral sutures.

Floral formulae :

Mimosoideae – Acacia nilotica 

Habit :  Perennial tree. 

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , hard woody  and branched.

Leaves :  alternate, petiolate, bipinnately compound,  leaf base pulvinous, stipules modified into thorns  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Flowers are grouped in globose heads ( racemose).

Flower : Bracteate, sessile, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous/ perigynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 5, gamosepalous, valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, united, gamopetalous, valvate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens numerous,  free, long, exserted filaments,  anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : monocarpellary,  ovary superior, unilocular, many ovules  marginal placentation.

Fruit :  Lomentum.

Cucurbitaceae – Coccinia cordifolia 

Habit :  annual climber  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, weak , herbaceous,  branched, hairy and pentangular.

Leaves :  Simple leaves, alternate, petiolate, palmately lobed  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence :  Axillary solitary. Plants are dioecious, bearing male and female flowers on the same twig.

Male Flower :  Bracteate, pedicellate, in complete, unisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and epigynous.	Female Flower :  Bracteate, pedicellate, in complete, unisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and epigynous.
Calyx :  Sepals 5, gamosepalous, valvate aestivation.	Calyx :  Sepals 5, gamosepalous, valvate aestivation.
Corolla :  petals 5, gamopetalous, united to form a tube valvate aestivation.	Corolla :  petals 5, gamopetalous, united to form a tube valvate aestivation.
Androecium :  Stamens 5, arranged in 3 bundles of (2) + (2) +1, in which the filaments and anthers are fused to form Synandrous condition.	Androecium :  Absent
Gynoecium :  Absent	Gynoecium :  tricarpellary, unilocular, ovary inferior, parietal placentation.

Fruit :  Fleshy fruit  Pepo

Floral formulae : 

Apiaceae – Coriandrum sativum 

Habit :  annual herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbaceous with hollow internodes, emits aromatic smell due to presence of essential oils.

Leaves :  alternate, petiolate, decompound,  sheathing leaf base  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Simple umbel.

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and epigynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 5, free, polysepalous, valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, free, alternating with sepals. Petals are inflexed in buds. Valvate/ imbricate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens 5, alternating with petals,  anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : Bicarpellary,  syncarpous with bilocular inferior ovary. Each carpel contains a single pendulous ovule on axile  placentation. A disc is present on the ovary called stylopodium, on which 2 styles arises.

Fruit :  Cremocarp splitting  into 2 one seeded mericarps attached to a stalk called Corphophore.

Floral formulae :

                                            Asclepiadaceae – Calotropis gigantia 

Habit :  perennial  shrub  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched and bears  root stock.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , branched and woody  in lower portions, all parts of plant contains latex.

Leaves :  simple leaves, sessile, opposite decussate, entire margin, both the surfaces of leaves have waxy coating,   and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence :  cymose inflorescence ( dichasial cyme ).

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous

Calyx :  Sepals 5, free, polysepalous, quincuncial aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, gamopetalous, outgrowths of the petal bases  unites to form a crown like structure known as corollary corona, which attracts the insects, twisted aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens 5, epipetalous,anthers are attached to the angles of pentangular disc the Gynostegium, each anther have group of pollen the pollinium. Two pollinia, one each from adjacent anthers are united together by a thread like retinacula, 2 retinacula are attached to a glandular Corpusculum. The pollinia with retinacula and corpusculum together are known as Translator.

Gynoecium : Bicarpellary,  carpels are free below, styles are united at apices, stigma forms a pentangular disc Gynostegium,  ovary superior, ovary of each carpel is unilocular, many ovules in each locule are  in  marginal placentation.

Fruit :  the fruit is a pair of follicles. Sees with tufts of silky hairs called coma.

Floral formulae :

Lamiaceae – Ocimum  tenuiflorum ( syn. Ocimum sanctum ) 

Habit :  annual herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched .

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbaceous, quadrangular, aromatic and branched.

Leaves :  simple,  petiolate,  opposite decussate, covered with epidermal glandular hairs secreting volatile oils  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Special inflorescence (thyrsus).

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, zygomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous.

Calyx :  Sepals 5,  gamosepalous,  bilipped, 1+4 arrangement  and valvate aestivation.

Corolla :  petals 5, gamopetalous, 2 – lipped (bilipped), the posterior upperlip is 4 fid and  the anterior lower lip is 1 fid and longer than the upper lip. The aestivation is  valvate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens 4, epipetalous, didynamous, filaments free, anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : bicarpellary, syncarpous ovary superior, bilocular but becomes quadrilocular due to formation of false septum. 1 ovule  in each locule  axile placentation. Style gynobasic, stigma bifid, hypogynous.

Fruit : .Schizocarp, breaking into 4- nutlets / achenes.

Floral formulae :

Amaranthaceae – Achyranthes aspera 

Habit :  perennial herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbacious and branched.

Leaves :  simple leaves, opposite decussate, entire  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Simple spike.

Flower : Bracteate, sessile, complete, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous.

Perianth :   tepals 5, free, scaly,  membranous and colourless imbricate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamens 5, opposite to tepals, monadelphous, equal number of staminodes alternating with the anthers. Stamiondes fimbriated. anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular with one ovule in basal placentation.

Fruit :  usually a utricle..

Floral formulae :

                                       Euphorbiaceae – Croton bonplandianum 

Habit :  annual herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system : tap root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbacious and branched.

Leaves :  simple leaves, alternate, but whorled below the inflorescence,  and reticulate venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Simple raceme. Base of the inflorescence contains female flowers, male flowers are present at the apex.

Male flower : present at the apex of inflorescence, Bracteate, pedicellate, incomplete, unisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous.	Female flower : present at the base of inflorescence, Bracteate, pedicellate, incomplete, unisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and hypogynous.
Perianth  :  arranges in 2 whorls of 5+5, free,  valvate aestivation.	Perianth  :  arranged  in 1 whorl of 5, free,  valvate aestivation.
Androecium :  Stamens 15, arranged spirally  anthers dithecous,  and introrse.	Androecium :  absent .
Gynoecium :  absent	Gynoecium :  tricarpellary, syncarpous, trilocular, superior ovary, one pendulous ovary in each locule with axile placentation. The styles are three, each style is bifid.

Fruit :  3 chambered  schizocarpic capsule .

                                                    Orchidaceae – Vanda roxburghii

Habit :  Epiphytic  herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system :  Adventitious roots, 2 types, attaching roots and velamen roots.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbacious and monopodial.

Leaves :  simple leaves,  alternate,  entire  and  parallel venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence : Simple spike, look like a raceme.

Flower : Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, bisexual, zygomorphic, trimerous and epigynous.

Perianth :   tepals  in 2 whorls of 3+3, free, fleshy. Outer whorl green and inner whorl is petaloid, of these posterior tepal is highly modified into labellum. The labellum shifts from anterior to posterior side by resupination.scaly,  membranous and colourless imbricate aestivation.

Androecium :  Stamen 1, monoandrous, present at the tip of the column, present at anterior side  anthers dithecous,  and introrse. pollen grains are aggregated into pollinia. The pollinia connected to a sticky thread called Caudicle. Caudicles end in a disc shaped Viscidin.

Gynoecium : tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary inferior, unilocular with many ovules on 3 parietal placentae. The column has 2 fertile stigmas and a specialised sterile stigma modified as rostellum.

Fruit :  A capsule.

Floral formulae :

 

                                Poaceae – Oryza sativa

Habit :  annual herb  

Vegetative characters

Root system : adventitious root, branched.

Stem :  Aerial, erect , herbacious and .

Leaves :  simple leaves, alternate with sheathing leafbase, entire  and parallel venation.

Floral characters

Inflorescence :  Panicle of  spikelets. Each spikelet consists of very short axis (rachilla) which bears 2 rows of bracts. The lowest row of bracts known as sterile glumes, followed by  fertile glume lemma ends with stiff awn. A membranous structure present between fertile glume and rachilla known as Palea. Lemma and palea bears one flower.

Flower : small, inconspicuous,  complete, bisexual, zygomorphic, trimerous and hypogynous.

Perianth :   highly modified , reduced into 2 hyaline structures lodicules.

Androecium :  Stamens 6, arranged in 2 whorls of 3+3, alternating with lodicules. Filaments are free and delicate, versatile, anthers dithecous,  and introrse.

Gynoecium : monocarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular with one ovule in basal placentation. Two styles with feathery stigmas

Fruit :  one seeded caryopsis.

Floral formulae :

TULASI

Scientific name: Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Ocimum sanctum L.) 

Family: Lamiaceae

Common names:Sacredbasil

Useful parts:fresh and dried leaves 

Morphological Characters: Aromatic herbs; stems and branches woody, pubescent, leaves simple, opposite, 

aromatic, ovate, flowers small purplish in terminal thyrses. 

• Medicinal Value: Cough, Cold, earache, Fever, bronchitis, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin disease, arthritis, 

eye diseases, insect bites etc. 

• Active Principles: Contain 0.7% volatile oil comprising about 71% eugenol and 20% methyl eugenol. 

PIPPALU (Piper longum)

Scientific name: Piper longum

Family: Piperaceae

Vernacular name: Piplamul,Pippali, Pippallu

Useful parts: Root and Fruits are generally used.

MORPHOLOGY: 

• Leaves: They are dark in colour, ovate or heart shaped, they are about 2 to 3 inches in length.

• Flowers: The plant bears flowers during rainy season, male and female flowers both are borne on 

different plants.

• Fruits: Fruits are ovoid in shape , orange and yellowish in colour, and they grow in early winters , 

drupes are about 1 inch in diameter. 

• Spikes: Once when ripened, spikes turn red in colour.

• Root: Perrineal woody root.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
• Volatile Oil
• Resin
• Piperin
• Piperlongumine
• Piperlatin
• Brachyamide A
• Brachyamide B
• Sterols
Medicinal properties and uses:
1. Both piplamul (root & stem bases) and fruits are used for diseases of respiratory tract like
cough, bronchitis, asthama, cold etc.
2. It is also used as analgestic when applied locally for muscular pain and inflammation
3. Internally it is used as a sedative, carminative and general tonic

KARAKAYA

Scientific name: Terminalia chebula Retz.

Family: Combretaceae 

Common names:karaka,Hirda,Harda

Useful parts: dried mature fruits,small fruits,

Morphological Characters: Moderate sized tree; bark smooth and pale yellow when young; corky and 

grayish black when aged; peeling in flakes. Leaves simple, opposite, broadly oblong; flowers small, pale 

yellow in terminal and axillary spikes. Fruits ovoid, greenish to brownish, smooth when young; brownish 

black, rough and ribbed or angled when dry.

• Medicinal Uses: The fruit is the one of the ingredient in the a well known Ayurveda drug “Triphala” . Helps 

in indigestion, weight loss, urinary disorders, blood purifier, cardiac attacks, nervous disorders, general 

debility and cough etc.

• Active Principles: Fruit contains 20-50 % of Hydrolysable tannins : phenolic carboxylic acid like gallic acid, 

ellagic acid, and chebulic acid. 

Kalabanda (Aloe vera)

Scientific name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae (Liliaceae; Aloaceae) 

Common names:Musabhar,musambaram

Useful parts: leaves 

Morphological Characters: Main stem reduced, underground, roots fibrous; leaves cauline, rosette, fleshy, 

thick, margins spiny, flowers brick red to pale yellow in terminal racemes.

• Medicinal Uses: Skin diseases itching, inflammation, diabetes burnings, bowel diseases, fever etc., and 

cosmetics.

• Active Principles: Amino acids, anthroquinones, phenolic compounds, Saponins, salicylic acids, and sterols

Turmeric

Scientific name: Curcuma longa 

Family: Zingiberacae

Vernacular name: Haldi, Pasupu, Halada

 Useful parts: Dried rhizome 

Chemical properties:

Turmeric contain yellow colouring matter called Curcumin of which three analogs have been detected they are 

Curcumin I( diferuloyl methane)-

Cucumin II( Caffeoyl feruloyl methane), 

Curcumin III(dicaffeoyl methane)

Medicinal properties:

1. Turmeric is used as a colouring agent and condimentincurrypowders.It has also been used to stimulate biliary secretion and treat gall stones.

2. Curcuma rhizomes are extensively used in ayurvedic,unani amd chinese traditional 

medicines as a stmachic,uretic andanodyne for biliary calculus and menstrual pains

3. It iis a common house-hold remedyor cough and cols externally,it is used uin form of a cream to improve complexion.

4. Anti-inflammatory activity of curcumirin well is established

ASHWAGANDHA

Scientific name: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Family: Solanaceae 

Common names: Ashwagandha; Indian ginseng, Winter cherry

Morphological Characters: Under shrubs, roots tuberous, stems and branches grayish pubescent, leaves 

simple , opposite, ovate, flowers small, greenish in axillary cymes or clusters. Fruits berries, enclosed with 

persistent calyx, bright orange when ripe.

• Ethnomedicinal uses: Ashwagandha is taken for strength, rejuvenation, digestion, improve sexual desires, 

insomnia, nervous disorders-arthritis, rheumatism, cough, ulcers, diabetes, leprosy, intestinal infections, 

bronchitis, asthma, impotence and a suppressant in HIV/AIDS patients etc.

AMLA
Scientific name: Phyllanthus emblica L.(Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)
Family: Phyllanthaceae (Euphorbiaceae)
Common names: Amla; Usiri; Indian goose berry
Morphological characters: small to medium sized tree; bark grayish feeling in flakes; leaves simple closely set along
the branchlets and appears like compound leaves; flowers small, pale yellow, clusters in leaf axils, fruits berry ,
yellowish green, globose, grooved.
Ethnomedicinal uses: The fruit is the one of the ingredient in the well known ayurvedic drug “Triphala”. Used to
revitalizing potency and the digestive system, rejuvenating longevity, treat constipation , reduce fever, purify the
blood, reduce cough, alleviate asthma, strengthen the heart, benefit the eyes, stimulate hair growth, diabetes and
cancer, weight loss etc.. Raw fruits are rich in vitamin “C” eaten and used for making pickle.

SARPAGANDHA
Scientific name: Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz
Family: Apocynaceae (Apocynaceae includes Asclepiadaceae)
Common names: Sarpagandha; Snake root
Morphological Characters: Under shrubs; roots tuberous, stems and branches with milky latex; leaves
simple, whorled, oblong lanceolate; flowers white with red calyx on terminal umbels; fruits berries two
lobed, ripen bluish.
• Ethnomedicinal Uses: High Blood Pressure: This herb is considered to be effective in lowering blood
pressure and fever.
• It also helps in stimulating uterine contractions at the time of delivery.
• Insanity: Popularly known as pagal-ki-dawa (Medicine for the mentally upset),
• Insomnia: This herb has sedative properties, so it is very useful in relieving insomnia.

Centella asiatica
Family: Apiaceae
Common Name: Asiatic Pennywort Saraswathi Aaku

• Morphological  Characters : Prostrate, faintly aromatic, creeper herb

Brahmi
Scientific name: Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.
Family: Plantaginaceae (Scrophulariaceae)
Common names: Brahmi, Saraswathi
Morphological characters: Prostrate herbs, growing near marshy habitats, stems prostrate, succulent, rooting
at nodes, leaves simple, opposite, fleshy; flowers violet in leaf axils. Fruit capsule.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Brahmi is useful for improving mental clarity, confidence and memory recall.
• Brahmi is also used for the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, asthma and rheumatism, arthritis, hair loss,
fever, constipation etc.
• Studies have also shown Brahmi to possess anticancer activity.