Anatomical studies on some medicinal Salvia L. species

Abstract

Herbaceus stems and leaves of Salvia aethiopis L., S. virgata Jacq. and S. dichroantha Stapf (endemic) which are medicinal plants, collected from Eskişehir has been studied anatomically. In herbaceus stems, cortex is collenchymatic and parenchymatic in all investigated species. Vascular system consisting of a complete cylinder of xylem surrounded by phloem. Covering hairs are simple and unicellular or multicellular. Glandular trichomes are capitate and peltate type. The presence of amylum in the inner layer of cortex of S. aethiopis and the druse and prismatic crystals in the pith parenchyma of S. virgata are characteristic. On the other hand, some differences are found in glandular and non-glandular hairs and medullary rays of the examined species also. Leaves are dorsiventral and amphistomatic in all studied species. The covering and glandular hairs of leaves are similar to those on the stems.