Phyla dulcis (Trevir.) Moldenke: Description of diagnostic anatomical characteristics of the crude

Abstract

Phyla dulcis (Trevir.) Moldenke, commonly known as orozus, is a plant of the Verbenaceae family, widely distributed in Guatemala. Besides its sweetening property, orozus also possesses several medicinal properties (e.g. antibacterial, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties). It is used to treat respiratory diseases such as colds, coughs and bronchitis. This species has chemical variations between different populations, which could suggest anatomy variation, including organoleptic, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Results of the anatomical comparison of 30 specimens of orozus from three different populations are presented, this in order to generate information that can help to validate popular uses of plants in the region, as well as to generate data for the phytopharmaceutical laboratories.

Groups within and between populations were not evident in the cluster analysis performed in this study. The drug consists of aromatic dried leaves with very sweet flavor. The leaf is amphystomatic, with majorly anomocytic stomata, but paracytic and diacitic stomata can also be found. This has one-layer epidermis and cells with striated cuticle. Larger and slightly wavy walls on the upper side of the leaf were found, and smaller highly sinuate on the underside of the leaf. The blade presents abundant unicellular and multicellular trichomes, these can be simple or grounded in a rosette like cell disposition. In the underside of the leaf, the thricomes are glandular, capitated, uni or multicellular type. The mesophyll usually has two layers of differentiated pallisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma. The central vein has the same tissues as the rest of the leaf and also has a collateral vascular bundle type. Petiole presents a one-layer epidermis, followed by 2-4 layers of collenchyma, parenchyma and U-shaped vascular bundle.