Pharmacognostic studies on the flower ofWoodfordia fruticosa Kurz

Abstract

Pharmacognosy of the flowers ofWoodfordia fruticosa Kurz has been carried out to lay down standards for the genuine drug “Dhataki”. The paper deals with the detailed anatomy of the pedicel and various floral appendages, pollen ornamentation, seed with unusual mucilage hairs and embryo characters. Histochemical tests and fluorescence characteristics are also described. Thin layer bidirectional chromatography of petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, alcohol and water extractives was performed. Other parameters studied include physicochemical constants, e.g. ash values, percentages of tannins, sugars and different extractives.