Anatomy of the underground parts of four Echinacea-species and of Parthenium integrifolium

R Länger

doi:10.3797/scipharm.aut-01-194

Abstract

Improved descriptions and detailed drawings of the most important anatomical characters of the roots of Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, E. angustifolia DC., E. pallida (NuTT.) NUTT., and of Parfhenium integrifolium L. are presented. The anatomy of the rhizome of E. purpurea, which was detected in commercial samples, and of the root of E. atrorubens NUTT., another known adulteration for pharmaceutically used Echinacea-species, is documented for the first time. The possibilities and limitations of the identification by means of microscopy are discussed. The anatomical differences between the roots of E. angustifolia, E. pallida and E. atrorubens are notsufficient for differentiation, however, root and rhizome of E. purpurea and the root of Parthenium integrifolium appear well characterized. Because of the highly similar anatomy the microscopic proof of identity and purity of crude drugs of Echinacea must be done with uncomminuted material and the examination of cross sections.

Highlights

The first, and for a long period only, detailed anatomical descriptions of the underground parts of Echinacea were published at the beginning of the last century', '
Phytomelanin fills in the triangular intercellular spaces around the Anatomy of the underground parts of four Echinacea-species and of Parthenium ... 239 sclereids, making them appear star-shaped in cross section
The implementation of the data from E. atrorubens and the rhizome of E. purpurea lets the borders between the anatomy of all these species merge, especially ranges of the size of sclereids, fibres and secretory cavities overlap

Summary

Introduction

The first, and for a long period only, detailed anatomical descriptions of the underground parts of Echinacea were published at the beginning of the last century', '. Angustifolia DC., E. pallida (NuTT.)NUTT.,and of Parthenium integrifolium L. The increasing interest in Echinacea and the adulterations that had been observed frequently caused Heubl et aL3 in the late eighties to examine the roots of E. purpurea (L.) MOENCHE, . Their key for the identification of Echinacea-powders and the detection of Parthenium became standard 4. 5. In the course of the elaboration of microscopical descriptions for the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia TM we obtained authentic material of the three mentioned Echinacea-species, of Parthenium integrifolium and of E. atrorubens NUTT.,a further adulteration detected in the United States. The application of the key of Heubl failed, mainly due to a confusing terminology and the

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