Stem and leaf anatomy of Althaea L. (Malvaceae) species growing in Turkey

GENÇLER ÖZKAN A. M., UZUNHİSARCIKLI M. E.

Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, cilt.28, sa.2, ss.133-148, 2008 (Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 28 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2008
  • Dergi Adı: Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.133-148
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: A. armeniaca, A. cannabina, A. hirsuta, A. officinalis, Althaea species, Anatomy, Malvaceae
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Species of Althaea are annual or perennial herbs and are known vernacularly as "hatmi". They have a broad distribution. In Turkey, four Althaea L. species ( A. cannabina L., A. armeniaca Ten., A. officinalis L., A. hirsuta L.) grow naturally on the river and road banks, preferring moist and sandy soils. Their rootstock and leaves are rich in mucilage. They are commonly used in traditional medicine as a soothing tea for cough, peptic ulcers and inflammation of the mucosa of mouth, throat and stomach. In this study, anatomical characteristics of stem and leaf of Turkish Althaea species were investigated for the first time, thoroughly. They all showed typical Malvaceae elements but exhibited slight differences. The results were demonstrated by photographs and sketches.