Pharmacognosy of the flowers of
Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz has been carried out to lay down standards for the genuine drug “Dhataki”. The paper deals with the detailed anatomy
of the pedicel and various floral appendages, pollen ornamentation, seed with unusual mucilage hairs and embryo characters.
Histochemical tests and fluorescence characteristics are also described. Thin layer bidirectional chromatography of petroleum
ether, benzene, chloroform, alcohol and water extractives was performed. Other parameters studied include physicochemical
constants, e.g. ash values, percentages of tannins, sugars and different extractives.
Keywords
Woodfordia fruticosa
- flower - pharmacognosy - Lythraceae
NBRI Research Publication No. 99 (New series)