Anatomical Studies and Determination of Leaf Constants of Cosmostigma cordatum (Poir.) M. R. Almeida

Aim: Cosmostigma cordatum is a species of twining shrub in the family Apocynaceae, which is widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of Asia. The plant contains several chemical compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids, which are responsible for its medicinal properties. Overall, C. cordatum is an interesting species of plant that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Materials and Methods: Hand sections of various parts of the plant materials are taken and stained with safranin and mounted in glycerin under microscope as per standard protocol. Microscopic evaluation of leaf constants such as stomatal number, stomatal index, epidermal cell number, trichome number, palisade ratio, vein islet and vein termination number were examined. Results and Discussion: This study provides anatomical information for authentic identification of this plant. The anatomical investigation of stem, petiole, leaf and root of C. cordatum, the green milkweed creeper is significant in these perspectives. The leaf lamina of C. cordatum contains few rosette calcium oxalate crystals. Both paracytic and anisocytic stomata, multicellular falcate trichomes on the epidermal region of the leaf are the major distinguishing features of C. cordatum. Conclusion: The present work, identifying the anatomical features of the plant, underlines the need for taking serious measures to protect its existence at any cost. The anatomical characters and structures are key characteristics for verification and authentication. Anatomical data of stem, petiole, leaf and root of C. cordatum can serve as a supplement to evolutionary analyses of Apocynaceae.