Morphological and Anatomical Properties of the Senna Alexandrina Mill. (Cassia Angustifolia Vahl.)

Abstract It was studied the Senna alexandrina Mill. Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae subfamily, synonym Cassia angustifolia Vahl. that has high pharmaceutical importance. The assessment was done using the plants growth in the research field of Botanical Garden. There were assessed the morphological characteristics and anatomical analysis were done in the stem and leaves. In the Romanian climatic conditions the Senna alexandrina is annual plant with taproot and the size of the stem is 40-70 cm. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 3 to 7 pairs of minor leaflets and small stipules (2-3 mm). The leaflets are 2.5 - 4.5 cm length and 7-10 mm width, lanceolate to ovate in shape, entire blade, glabrous, acute apex, cuneate base, green to yellow-green colour. The flowers are yellow, with the terminal racemes of 10-15 cm length with 7-12 (19) flowers. The flowering starts in July until September. The fruit is a glabrous dehiscent pod, with 4-6 cm length, including 10-17 seeds. In the internal structure of the stem and rachis there are collaterally opened vascular bundles.The leaflets are amphystomatic with paracytic stomata and dorsiventrally mesophyll.