Variability in leaf morphology and anatomy in Lippia turbinata (Verbenaceae) in the Province of San Luis (Argentina)

ANDERSEN A; LUCCHINI F; MORICONI J I; FERNANDEZ E A

Phyton

Fundación Rómulo Raggio

Lugar: Vicente López, Bs As. - Argentina; Año: 2006 vol. 75 p. 137 - 143

0031 9457

Medicinal plants with mesomorphic and xeromorphic characteristics are a significant component of the indigenous flora of San Luis province. In popular medicine, Lippia turbinata ?poleo? has emmenagogic, diuretic and stomach properties. The morphological and anatomical aspects of foliar leaves were studied according to their environmental conditions, in order to contribute to the identification of samples of commercial drugs. From the studied sections, differences in the following aspects were detected, namely the form and type of epidermic cells, the presence of idioblasts in adaxial epidermic position, thickness of cuticle, density of nonglandular trichomes, the structure of the mesophyll and the presence of crystalline idioblasts in the mesophyll. The study of the foliar morpho-anatomy of Lippia turbinata, turns out to be an important contribution to a better understanding of its intraspecific changes, and to detect possible adulterants in commercial samples.