Botanical Pharmacognostical Study of Al-Booda (Striga hermonthica) Distributed in Gezira State, Sudan

Abstract

Striga hermonthica is an invasive and destructive weed which is usually infects crops as well as pasture and wild grasses. It is widely distributed in many African countries including Sudan and it is traditionally been used as abortifacient, for pneumonia, fungal infections, as contraceptive, mosquito repellent and anti-diabetic. This study was aimed to identify morphology of whole plant and microscopic characteristics of the root, stem, and leaf and powder microscopy to support its botanical pharmacognostical characterization. Morphological and microscopic study was carried out using fresh and dry whole plant, the root, stem and leaves. The results of present macroscopic and histomicroscopic features of root stem and leaves of S. hermonthica and powder microscopic were reported which may provide useful information for the regulatory aspects of the quality control measures of the crude drugs.