comparative macro-and micromorphological study of the leaf and stem of Iberis Gibraltarica Linn., and iberis umbellata Linn., cultivated in Egypt

ABSTRACT

The macro- and micromorphological characters of the leaf and stem of Iberis gibraltarica [L.] and Iberis umbellata [L.] family Cruciferae are described and illustrated with the aim of finding their diagnostic characters, by which the two plants can be easily identified from each other in the entire or powdered forms. The family Cruciferae [Mustrad family] is a large family of pungent or acrid, but not poisonous plants. The name of the genus Iberis is derived from Iberia, the ancient name of Spain, where many species occur. Species 30-40, native to S. Europe, W. Asia and N. Africa, are low-growing plants. Many members of the family find wide applications in folk medicine. Iberis amara [bitter c and ytuft] is recommended strongly in sciatica and the seeds are employed in hemopathy as a heart tonic. The distribution of cucurbitacins in seeds and growing plants of Iberis gibraltarica L., Iberis umbellata L. and other crucifers was reported. Literature concerning the botanical study of I. gibraltarica and I. umbellata were found inadequate; therefore, the present work is concerned with macro- and micromorphological studies of the leaf and stem of these two plants, aiming to find out the diagnostic features by which they can be easily identified from each other in the entire and powdered forms