Macro and microscopic characters of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich leaf

Abstract

Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich. (syn. Maerua arenaria, Niebhuria arenaria), commnoly known as “Bhoochakra Gadda.” in Telugu, ‘Hemkand’ in Hindi and ‘Bhumichakkarai’ in Tamil, belongs to the family Capparaceae. It is a low woody bushy under-shrub up to 4m long, branches glabrous, found in Indian subcontinent and Srilanka [1]. The leaves are simple, ovate, elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, 3-4.5×2.3cm, scabrous, margin entire, base and apex obtuse, apex mucronate; petiole to 1 cm long. Racemes corymbose, 5-10cm; peduncle to 3cm; pedicel to 2 cm.Flowers 1.5cm across, greenishyellow in corymbs, rarely flowers solitary, axillary, mildly fragrant; bracts small, ovate; sepals 4, petaloid, united near base or up to onethird from base, calyxtube 3-8 mm long, lined by a tubular truncate disc, lobes ellipticoblong; petals 4, on cup-shaped disc, ovate-lanceolate to obovate; stamens 20-26; filaments subulate, to 2cm, greenish or white, brownish or purple on drying ;anthers oblong, 4 mm. Androphore equal to receptacle. Gynophores 1.5-2.5 cm long; ovary ovoid, 7mm cylindrical, stigma sessile. Berry moniliform, fleshy, to 12×2cm, elongate, twisted and deeply constricted between the seeds; seeds globose , 7×5mm, minutely echinate-tuberculate. Flower & Fruit: January to June [2-5]. (Figure 1a, b&c). The roots are used tonic and stimulant [6]. Micropropagation a liana of arid areas [7]. Pharmacognostical studies on the roots [8]. Evaluation of antipyretic activity of root extracts[9] Effect on alloxan induced diabetes in rats [10], a lupine triterpenoid [11], Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extract [12], In vitro antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity [13], The roots are used to energy stimulant [14], The root bulb are given to cure diabetes [15], The leaves and bark anti emetic[16],The leaves are used rheumatism [17], The roots are used as aphrodisiac [18]. The tubers are used in fertility [19], Extraction, isolation and characterization [20], anti malaria, Insecticidal and Repellent Properties [21]. The root s are used Evil eye/luck [22], the roots are used to antiperiodic, diuretic, purgative, dropsy, urinary disorders, febrifuge, stomachic and diabetes [23], nithya pooja kona sacred groove [24]. Micro propagation [25], whole plant is fed as fodder to increase lactation [26]. In the present investigation the leaves are used to ethno medicinally, curing the fever.