Anatomical Studies on Vitex Leucoxylon and Vitex Negundo (Verbenaceae)

Plants have served as a source of medicine to man for several decades now and still remain a source for vast potent bioactive molecules for the treatment of ailments. The anatomical and physiological features of plants may provide valuable characters and character states in assessing homology and elucidating phylogenetic relationships among plants. Anatomical features of vegetative as well as reproductive organs have been studied and the results of such research have found application in systematics, particularly for resolving controversial taxonomic problems. Vitex species possesses numerous biological activities proved by many experimental studies. One of the ancient uses of Vitex negundo Linn. documented in ayurveda is to provide mental peace. The leaf extract of Vitex negundo are generally used as preservation in storage of grain to protect the pulses against insects. Vitex leucoxylon Linn. is used as folkloric medicine in India for the treatment of cancer. The stem of Vitex negundo consists of wide parenchymatous pith, Chlorenchymatous hypodermis and TLS showing the multiseriate rays. Vitex leucoxylon TLS shows biseriate and uniseriate rays with intervessel pits.