Differential Microcharacters of Epicarp Surfaces of Ammi visnaga and Ammi majus

Abstract

The fruits of Ammi visnaga (L.) LAM. and A. majus L., inspected by SEM, show quite different epicarp microcharacters with different cuticle ornamentation patterns of the cells in the intercostal spaces.

These microcharacters are recognizable even in dried, powdered fruit samples and thus a botanical identification of the two species, till now regarded as problematical even on entire mericarps, is possible by SEM on very small drug fragments.

The reliability of epicarp microcharacters for the taxonomy of the Umbelliferae, not only at the generic but also at the specific level, is suggested.

Key Word Index

Ammi visnaga - Ammi majus - Apiaceae - Surface scanning - Differential Microcharacters - Botanical Identification - Powdered Drug