Morphological study of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. fruit and seed in different growth stages

Keya Modak,Monoranjan Chowdhury

doi:10.14719/pst.2021.8.4.1174

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative morphological characterization in different growth stages of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. fruits and seeds were investigated. Capsules are compressed, two celled, green, cordate to round or elliptical with one flattened seed in each half. Both LM and SEM study were conducted to gather micromorphological features of matured epicarp and seed testa. Non-glandular, uniseriate, slender trichome and anomocytic stomata were found on epicarp, whereas same was absent on seeds. Some crystalline substance was noticed on both epicarp cells and seed testa. The fruiting stages were divided into 0 to V stages starting from first day of fruit appearing and total required days needed for maturity. Remarkable differences such as fruit and seed size, weight and colour were varied in each stage. Significance of surface micromorphology of matured epicarp and seed testa of N. arbor-tristis is also discussed here. Single-factor ANOVA analysis and Regression were performed to test the significance level of the studied parameters and their relationship.

Highlights

Herbal medicine is used by about 80% of the world population for primary healthcare [1]
Flowering period was started in late September or starting of October 2019 and noted the ovary size
Small fruit development was found at about 25th days after blooming and this stage was considered as stage I, further observations were carried out up to full maturity about after 4 months

Summary

Introduction

Herbal medicine is used by about 80% of the world population for primary healthcare [1]. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. is native to India among the two members of the genus throughout the world. N. arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) is very important in phytochemical, pharmaceutical as well as industrial purposes [2, 3]. Dry matured fruits contain significant amounts of glycosides, tannins, phenols and steroids, which are supposed to be responsible for anticancerous properties [4]. Seeds of the plant show some properties like antifungal, anti-bacterial (against gram-negative bacteria), anti-allergic, anti-parasitic, anti-amoebic, anti-anaemic, anti-inflammatory, immunemodulatory, anti-hair fall and anti-leishmanial [4,5,6,7,8]

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