STUDY ON ANATOMICAL CHARATERIZATION OF MICROCOCCUS PANICULATA L

Micrococcus paniculata L., one of the important medicinal plants, commonly known as Cherikkotta, Kotta, Kottakka or Pottanga, of plant family Tiliaceae and are generally seen at the steep forested regions and also in scared grooves. The plant parts were utilized for the treatment of variety of diseases or conditions, including dysmenorrhea, paratyphoid, bone fractures, jaundice, kidney stones, dyspepsia, heat stroke, cold, fever, diarrhoea, hepatitis B, ingestion, and anthelmintic medication. It is widely distributed along the Western Ghats of India. Eventually, complete identification and authentication of plant material is needed to avoid confusion of species by non-taxonomist. Anatomical study supplement classical methods of identification. Specimen were examined by morphological and anatomical characteristics. Leaf and petiole anatomical profiling of this species Micrococcus paniculata occurring in of Kerala was investigated in this study. The study aims to search for the stable features marking out Micrococcus species. The species were distinguished based on the anatomical difference in the vascular bundles in midrib and petiole, palisade layer and type of stomata. The anatomical features of stem might be very useful for the identification of this plant species. Through this anatomical study, we concluded that this species has some unique features to its environmental habitat.