Pharmacognosy: Starches, Leaves, Herbs, and Flowers

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the microscopy, botanical origins, and active constituents of medicinal plants including starches, leaves, herbs, and flowers.

Starch

A polysaccharide formed of long chains of glucose units in $1,4$ linkage.

Amylose

A linear, more water-soluble component of starch responsible for the formation of a deep blue color with iodine.

Amylopectin

A branched, less water-soluble component of starch that gives a violet or bluish-red color with iodine.

Maize Starch Origin

The polysaccharide obtained from $Zea\text{ mays}\text{ L.}$, Family Graminae.

Maize Starch Granules

Polyhedral granules with blunt angles to sub-spherical shape, simple aggregation, and a central hilum featuring an irregular split ($X$ or $Y$).

Wheat Starch Origin

The polysaccharide obtained from $Triticum\text{ aestivum}\text{ L.}$, Family Graminae.

Potato Starch Origin

The polysaccharide obtained from $Solanum\text{ tuberosum}\text{ L.}$, Family Solanaceae.

Potato Starch Microscopy

Flattened-ovoid to subspherical granules with an eccentric point hilum situated near the narrow end and well-marked concentric striations.

Rice Starch Microscopy

Polyheadral, compound granules that lack a hilum and striations.

Stomata

Minute pores in the leaf which help with the exchange of gases and transpiration.

Petiole

The stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem.

Stipules

A pair of outgrowths developed at the base of the petiole of a leaf.

Compound Leaf

A leaf in which the blade is completely divided, forming leaflets, appearing in pinnate or palmate forms.

Phyllotaxis

The arrangement of leaves on a stem, categorized as alternate, opposite (decussate or superposed), or whorled.

Dorsiventral Leaf

A leaf anatomy characterized by having the palisade layer beneath the upper epidermis.

Isobilateral Leaf

A leaf anatomy featuring one or more layers of palisade cells on both the upper and lower epidermis.

Diacytic Stomata

A type of stomata where the subsidiary cells are at a right angle to the guard cells, characteristic of the Lamiaceae family.

Paracytic Stomata

A type of stomata where the subsidiary cells are parallel to the long axis of the guard cells, characteristic of Senna leaves.

Labiaceous Hair

A glandular trichome consisting of a very short unicellular stalk and a glandular head composed of eight radiating cells with a common raised cuticle.

Senna Leaf Origin

The dried leaflets of $Cassia\text{ acutifolia}$ and $Cassia\text{ angustifolia}$, Family Leguminosae.

Rosemary Leaves Origin

The dried leaves of $Rosmarinus\text{ officinalis}$, Family Labiatae.

Mentha (Peppermint) Origin

Dried leaves and flowering tops of $Mentha\text{ piperita}$, Family Labiatae.

Thyme Herb Microscopy

Features unicellular non-glandular conical hair, bent hair (bicellular or tricellular), labiaceous hair, capitate hair, and diacytic stomata.

Clove Origin

The dried flower buds of $Eugenia\text{ aromatica}$, Family Myrtaceae.

Eugenol

The main volatile oil compound ($84-90$%) found in Clove, used as a dental analgesic.

German Chamomile Origin

Dried flower heads of $Matricaria\text{ chamomilla}$, Family Compositae.

Chamazulene

A blue-colored compound formed from matricarin during steam distillation of German Chamomile oil.

Saffron Origin

The dried stigmas and tops of styles of $Crocus\text{ sativa}$, Family Iridaceae.

Santonin

A bitter principle (sesquiterpene lactone) found in $Artemisia\text{ cina}$ used as an anthelmintic to expel round worms.

Hibiscus Origin

Dried calyx and epicalyx of the flower of $Hibiscus\text{ sabdariffa}$, Family Malvaceae.