Comparative anatomical characteristics of emergent aquatic Herbs-Monochoria vaginalis (Bunn. F.) Presl. and Monochoria hastata Solms. (Pontederiaceae)

Abstract

The present investigation explores and compares the detailed anatomical features of an emergent aquatic herb of Monochoria vaginalis and Monochoria hastata, belonging to water-hyacinth family, Pontederiaceae. These weedy plants are claimed to be highly nutritious and medicinally valuable among many ethnic communities throughout India. But due to their morphological similarity among the related species of this family, identification and utilization of the plant has been ignored and urbanization has resulted in eradication of the herb on the basis of environmental wet land pollution issues. Both species exhibits unique hydromorphic anatomical features related to the adaptability of the plant to the aquatic environment. Though both species share most of the anatomical features in common, few differences observed in the leaf anatomy like dorsiventral lamina, brachy-paratetracytic stomata of M. vaginalis and isobilateral lamina and paracytic or cytocytic stomata of M. hastata will provide valuable information for the plant identification. Even though both the species share common morphological features in common which make them difficult to identify, the microscopical variations observed from the current report helps in identification and will meet the demand of standardization requirements of medicinal herbs.