Implications of epidermal studies in identification of two medicinally important species of Rauvolfia L.

Abstract

Leaf epidermal studies, pollen and seed morphology of two species of Rauvolfia i.e. R. serpentina and R. tetraphylla were studied using compound and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) to facilitate the correct identification and authentication of these significant crude drugs and also as an aid to plant systematics. The microscopic and SEM studies of these species showed significant differences in the morphology of the analyzed parts.