Sapindaceae

Abstract

“Morpho-anatomical characters of the leaf and stem of Cupania vernalis Cambess., Sapindaceae.” Cupania vernalis Cambess. is a woody species from Sapindaceae, commonly known as “camboatã” and used against asthma, coughs and as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and tonic in folk medicine. This work has aimed to contribute to the morpho-anatomical identification of the aerial vegetative organs of this medicinal plant for pharmacognostic purposes. The botanical material was fixed, sectioned and stained with standard dyes. Microchemical tests and scanning electron microscopy were also carried out. This species has paripinnate compound leaves, uniseriate leaf epidermis consisting of larger cells on the adaxial surface, dorsiventral mesophyll and various collateral vascular bundles in centric arrangement in the midrib. In the stem, it is encountered a phloem cylinder external to the xylem one and encircled by a sclerenchymatic sheath, as well as fibres and stone cells in the cortex and pith. Non-glandular trichomes and calcium oxalate crystals are present in the leaf and stem.