The anatomical properties of Scabiosa atropurpurea L. (Caprifoliaceae)

Abstract

Scabiosa atropurpurea L. (Caprifoliaceae), a medicinal plant traditionally known as “Mor uyuzotu or Şeytanotu” in Turkey, hasbeen used for treating acne, bronchitis, cold, and cough. Although phytochemical studies are available, there are no taxonomicstudies related to this plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomy of leaf, stem, and root of S. atropurpurea.Detailed photographs of plant parts were taken, and measurements of the leaf, stem, and root were carried out. The crosssection of the stem revealed a single-layered epidermis containing one-celled simple eglandular trichomes and rarely onecelledhook-shaped eglandular trichomes. The cortex showed multilayered parenchymatous cells and a single-layered endodermis.The phloem was followed by the cambium, and the xylem was lignified. The pith was made up of parenchymatouscells. The leaves are bifacial and amphistomatic and stomata are mesomorphic in the cross section and also stomata areanomocytic in the surface section.The cross section of the root showed that the epidermis was replaced with the periderm. Under the phloem, which had fewlayers, the xylem was composed of tracheary elements surrounded with sclerenchymatous cells