Leaf constant numbers of selected Gardenia species in Thailand

Abstract

Background:Gardenia species is an important medicinal plant with significant ornamental and medicinal potential. Identification of medicinal plants is required to control the quality, efficacy as well as safety of individual plant materials. Leaf constant numbers are the important quantitative microscopic evaluations which can be used to identify and distinguish between some closely related species. Due to the lack of leaf constant data of Gardenia species in Thailand therefore, this study aimed to determine the leaf constant parameters in eleven Gardenia species in Thailand.

Methods: Fresh mature leaves of eleven Gardenia species in Thailand were evaluated for their leaf constants under microscope.

Results: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf constant parameters in eleven Gardenia species in Thailand. The results of leaf constant parameters including stomatal number, stomatal index, palisade ratio, epidermal cell number, epidermal cell area and trichome number of eleven Gardenia species in this study reveal the individual characteristic and can be used to identification and distinguishing of these plant species.

Conclusions: Leaf constant numbers are suitable as a primary means for identification of medicinal plant and could provide useful supportive evidence for plant authentication.