Anatomy of Vegetative Parts of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (Saxifragaceae): A Potential Medicinal Herb

Morphological and anatomical study of many herbaceous Saxifragaceae has still been lacking. A detailed anatomical structure of vegetative organs: leaf, petiole, rhizome and root of a highly medicinal plant Bergenia ciliata were described for the first time. Cells in all parts were rich in starch grains and some cells contain calcium oxalate crystals. Some important anatomical features were: a hood like structure found in its lower portion of petiole; petiole supplied with numerous conjoint, collateral and open vascular bundles with poorly differentiated bundle sheath; leaves amphistomatic; ten to fifteen conjoint, collateral and open vascular bundles found in mid vein of leaf. Globular trichomes were present in abaxial side of leaf and petiole; cork of rhizome divided into two zones; cork cambium multilayered; secondary growth evident in rhizome and root; activity of interfascicular cambium in rhizome was lacking. Endodermis and pericycle only found in root was crushed during secondary growth; polyarch xylem and phloem in root; vessels short and narrow with simple perforation plates. There was no comprehensible difference in size of central and lateral vascular bundles of leaf and petiole as in some other Saxifragaceae. Well developed bundle sheath which was the characteristic feature of many Saxifragaceae was feebly distinguished in the leaf and petiole of B. ciliata. The globular trichomes found in leaf and petiole of B. ciliata is probably a new feature for Saxifragaceae.