The Identification of Medicinal Plants A ... - American Botanical Council

The Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce
by Wendy Applequist, Ph.D.
Foreword by Mark Blumenthal & Steven Foster
Illustrations by Barbara Alongi

Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce
Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, Missouri
By Wendy Applequist, Ph.D.
Illustrations by Barbara Alongi
With a Foreword by
Mark Blumenthal
Founder and Executive Director
American Botanical Council
and
Steven Foster
President, Steven Foster Group
Botanist and Author
A joint project of
2006
American Botanical Council
Austin, Texas

About the Author
Wendy Applequist earned her Ph.D. in plant systematics from Iowa State University and is an assistant curator in
the William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources at the Missouri Botanical Garden. She conducts research on
the botany of medicinal plants and plants native to Madagascar. She has previously published articles in several journals,
including Systematic Botany, Taxon, Plant Systematics and Evolution, Evolution and Development, Pharmazie, Flora, and
Adansonia. Th is is her fi rst book.
About the Artist
Barbara Alongi is a scientifi c illustrator based at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Her illustrations accompany many
descriptions of new species of plants as well as monographic treatments. She is an illustrator for the Flora of North
America project.

About the American Botanical Council
Th e American Botanical Council (ABC) is the leading independent, nonprofi t education and research organization
using science-based and traditional information to promote the responsible use of herbal medicine. Th e membersupported
organization serves all populations interested in herbal medicine: the general public, healthcare professionals,
researchers, educators, industry, media and government.
ABC’s vision is that the public makes educated, responsible choices about herbal medicine as an accepted part of
healthcare. Founded in 1988, ABC supports this vision through its mission to provide science-based and traditional
information to promote the responsible use of herbal medicine. ABC achieves its mission through:
• Publication of its peer-reviewed journal
HerbalGram
• HerbClip literature review service
• HerbalEGram electronic newsletter
• Publication of books and literature
• Information on its website, www.herbalgram.org
About the Missouri Botanical Garden
• Continuing education materials for healthcare
prrofessionals
• Internships for healthcare professionals
• Safety guidelines for herbal products
• Seminars, presentations and workshops
• Serving as a source of authoritative information to
global print and electronic media
For information:
American Botanical Council
P.O. Box 144345
Austin, TX 78714-4345
Phone: 512-926-4900
Fax: 512-926-2345
Toll free in the U.S.: 800-373-7105
Email: ABC@HerbalGram.org.
Website: www.HerbalGram.org
Th e oldest continuously operating botanical garden west of the Mississippi, the Missouri Botanical Garden of St. Louis
is an award-winning horticultural and educational institution whose many public attractions run the gamut from an oldfashioned
herb garden to a brand-new Children’s Garden. Behind the scenes, it is also one of the world’s most active centers
for botanical systematic and fl oristic research, with about 150 full-time research staff who conduct fi eld studies in dozens
of countries every year. Th e Garden’s mission is “To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment, in
order to preserve and enrich life”. Th e Garden’s William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources focuses its research
specifi cally on the identifi cation, scientifi c study, and preservation of plants that are of direct use to humans.
vi
Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants:

Table of Contents
Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................ xi
Foreword .................................................................................................................................... xiii
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................xvi
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................xvii
Background ................................................................................................................................... 1
Basics of Plant Morphology .....................................................................................................................3
Practical Plant Identifi cation ....................................................................................................................7
Botanical Nomenclature ...........................................................................................................................9
Description of Botanical Entries ............................................................................................................11
Botanical Entries ......................................................................................................................... 13
Achillea millefolium L. (Yarrow) ...............................................................................................................14
Actaea racemosa L. (Black Cohosh) ..........................................................................................................16
Adonis vernalis L. (Spring Adonis) .........................................................................................................18
Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Horse Chestnut) ...........................................................................................20
Agathosma betulina (P. J. Bergius) Pillans, A. crenulata (L.) Pillans, A. serratifolia (Curtis)
Spreeth (Buchu) ..............................................................................................................................21
Althaea offi cinalis L. (Marshmallow) .......................................................................................................22
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (Andrographis) ........................................................................23
Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Dong Quai) ............................................................................................. 25
Apium graveolens L. (Celery) ...................................................................................................................26
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. (Uva-Ursi).......................................................................................27
Arnica montana L. (Arnica) .....................................................................................................................29
Artemisia absinthium L. (Wormwood) ....................................................................................................31
Artemisia annua L. (Sweet Wormwood) .................................................................................................32
Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Astragalus) ..............................................................................................34
Berberis aquifolium Pursh, B. nervosa Pursh, B. repens Lindl. (Oregon Grape) ........................................36
Berberis vulgaris L. (Barberry) .................................................................................................................37
Betula pendula Roth, B. pubescens Ehrh. (Birch) ......................................................................................38
Calendula offi cinalis L. (Calendula) .........................................................................................................39
Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Shepherd’s Purse) ...........................................................................41
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce vii

Carum carvi L. (Caraway) .......................................................................................................................42
Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. (Blue Cohosh) ............................................................................44
Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Gotu Kola) ....................................................................................................45
Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray (False Unicorn) ................................................................................46
Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. (Roman Chamomile) ...............................................................................48
Cichorium intybus L. (Chicory) ...............................................................................................................49
Coriandrum sativum L. (Coriander) ........................................................................................................50
Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Hawthorn) ................................................... 51
Crocus sativus L. (Saff ron) .......................................................................................................................54
Cucurbita pepo L. (Pumpkin) ...................................................................................................................55
Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link (Scotch Broom) ............................................................................................56
Dioscorea villosa L. (Wild Yam) ..............................................................................................................57
Echinacea angustifolia DC. (Echinacea angustifolia); E. pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. (Echinacea pallida) ............58
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (Echinacea purpurea) ............................................................................60
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Eleuthero) ............................................................62
Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., E. grandifl orum C. Morren, E. koreanum Nakai, E. pubescens
Maxim., E. sagittatum (Sieb. & Zucc.) Maxim., E. wushanense T. S. Ying (Epimedium)..................63
Equisetum arvense L. (Horsetail) .............................................................................................................66
Euphrasia offi cinalis L. (Eyebright) ..........................................................................................................68
Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene ( Japanese Knotweed) ..........................................................70
Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (Meadowsweet) ...................................................................................71
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel) ...........................................................................................................72
Frangula purshiana (DC.) J. G. Cooper (Cascara Sagrada) .....................................................................73
Galium aparine L. (Cleavers)...................................................................................................................75
Gentiana lutea L. (Gentian) ....................................................................................................................77
Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgo) .......................................................................................................................79
Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) ...............................................................................................................80
Hamamelis virginiana L. (Witch Hazel).................................................................................................81
Hibiscus sabdariff a L. (Hibiscus) ..............................................................................................................82
Hydrastis canadensis L. (Goldenseal) .......................................................................................................84
Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s Wort) ..............................................................................................85
Hyssopus offi cinalis L. (Hyssop) ...............................................................................................................86
Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (Maté)......................................................................................................87
Illicium verum Hook. f. (Star Anise) .......................................................................................................89
Juniperus communis L. ( Juniper) ..............................................................................................................91
Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (English Lavender) ....................................................................................92
viii Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants:

Ligusticum porteri J. M. Coult. & Rose (Osha) ........................................................................................93
Linum usitatissimum L. (Flax) .................................................................................................................95
Lobelia infl ata L. (Lobelia) ......................................................................................................................96
Lycopus europaeus L. (European Bugleweed) ...........................................................................................98
Lycopus virginicus L. (Bugleweed) ...........................................................................................................99
Marrubium vulgare L. (Horehound) .....................................................................................................101
Matricaria chamomilla L. (Chamomile) ................................................................................................104
Medicago sativa L. (Alfalfa) ...................................................................................................................105
Melissa offi cinalis L. subsp. offi cinalis (Lemon Balm) .............................................................................107
Mentha ×piperita L. (Peppermint) .........................................................................................................109
Mitchella repens L. (Partridge berry) ......................................................................................................110
Olea europaea L. (Olive) ........................................................................................................................112
Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (Asian Ginseng); P. quinquefolius L. (American Ginseng) ...........................113
Passifl ora incarnata L. (Passionfl ower) ...................................................................................................115
Peumus boldus Molina (Boldo) ..............................................................................................................118
Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Th onn. (Phyllanthus amarus) ............................................................119
Phyllanthus fraternus G. L. Webster, P. niruri L., P. urinaria L. (Phyllanthus) .......................................122
Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise) ................................................................................................................126
Plantago afra L., P. arenaria Waldst. & Kit., P. asiatica L., P. ovata (Psyllium) ......................................128
Plantago major L. (Plantain) .................................................................................................................130
Prunella vulgaris L. (Heal All) ..............................................................................................................132
Rhamnus cathartica L. (Buckthorn) .......................................................................................................134
Rosmarinus offi cinalis L. (Rosemary) .....................................................................................................135
Rubus idaeus L. (Raspberry) ..................................................................................................................136
Rumex crispus L. (Yellow Dock) ............................................................................................................138
Salix alba L. (White Willow) ...............................................................................................................139
Salvia offi cinalis L. (Sage) ......................................................................................................................140
Sambucus nigra L. (European Elder) .....................................................................................................142
Sanguinaria canadensis L. (Bloodroot) ..................................................................................................145
Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Schisandra) ....................................................................................146
Scutellaria laterifl ora L. (Skullcap) .........................................................................................................147
Senna alexandrina Mill. (Senna) ...........................................................................................................150
Serenoa repens (W. Bartram) Small (Saw Palmetto) ..............................................................................152
Sida cordifolia L. (Heart-Leaf Sida) ......................................................................................................153
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Milk Th istle) .....................................................................................155
Smilax aristolochiifolia Mill., S. febrifuga Kunth, S. regelii Killip & C. V. Morton (Sarsaparilla) ............156
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce ix

Solidago virgaurea L. (European Goldenrod) ........................................................................................158
Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (Chickweed) ...................................................................................................160
Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni (Stevia) ........................................................................................162
Stillingia sylvatica Garden ex L. (Stillingia) ..........................................................................................163
Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch. Bip. (Feverfew) ...................................................................................164
Taraxacum offi cinale F.H.Wigg. (Dandelion) ........................................................................................166
Th ymus vulgaris L. (Th yme) ..................................................................................................................168
Tilia cordata Mill., T. platyphyllos Scop., T. ×europaea L. (Linden) ........................................................170
Trifolium pratense L. (Red Clover) ........................................................................................................172
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) ............................................................................................173
Turnera diff usa Willd. ex Schult. (Damiana) .........................................................................................174
Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr. (Tylophora asthmatica) .......................................................................175
Ulmus rubra Muhl. (Slippery Elm) .......................................................................................................177
Urtica dioica L. subsp. dioica (Stinging Nettle) ......................................................................................178
Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (Cranberry) .............................................................................................180
Vaccinium myrtillus L. (Bilberry) ...........................................................................................................181
Valeriana offi cinalis L. (Valerian) ............................................................................................................ 182
Viburnum prunifolium L. (Black Haw) ..................................................................................................183
Viscum album L. (European Mistletoe) .................................................................................................184
Vitex agnus-castus L. (Chaste Tree) .......................................................................................................187
Vitis vinifera L. (Grape) ........................................................................................................................188
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha)....................................................................................189
Zingiber offi cinale Roscoe (Ginger) .......................................................................................................190
Appendix ...................................................................................................................................193
General References ...............................................................................................................................194
Glossary ................................................................................................................................................195
Index .........................................................................................................................................205
x
Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants:

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Achillea millefolium ................................ 15
Figure 2: Actaea racemosa, A. podocarpa,
A. pachypoda, A. rubra .....................................17
Figure 3: Adonis vernalis ....................................... 19
Figure 4: Agathosma betulina, A. crenulata ............ 21
Figure 5: Andrographis paniculata ......................... 24
Figure 6: Apium graveolens, Ammi majus,
Ammi visnaga .................................................... 26
Figure 7: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ........................... 28
Figure 8: Arnica montana, A. chamissonis .........29-30
Figure 9: Artemisia absinthium ............................. 31
Figure 10: Artemisia annua ................................... 33
Figure 11: Astragalus mongholicus ......................... 35
Figure 12: Berberis aquifolium, B. repens ............... 36
Figure 13: Betula pendula, B. pubescens .............38-39
Figure 14: Calendula offi cinalis .............................. 40
Figure 15: Capsella bursa-pastoris ......................... 41
Figure 16: Carum carvi, Cuminum cyminum ......... 43
Figure 17: Centella asiatica ................................... 45
Figure 18: Chamaemelum nobile ............................ 48
Figure 19: Cichorium intybus ................................ 49
Figure 20: Coriandrum sativum ............................ 50
Figure 21: Crataegus laevigata, C. monogyna....52-53
Figure 22: Echinacea pallida, E. angustifolia .......... 59
Figure 23: Echinacea purpurea .............................61
Figure 24: Epimedium sagittatum,
E. grandifl orum ................................................ 64
Figure 25: Equisetum arvense, E. palustre ............. 67
Figure 26: Euphrasia offi cinalis, E. stricta .............. 69
Figure 27: Filipendula ulmaria.............................. 71
Figure 28: Foeniculum vulgare ............................... 73
Figure 29: Galium aparine,
G. verum, G. odoratum ................................75-77
Figure 30: Ginkgo biloba ....................................... 79
Figure 31: Hamamelis virginiana .......................... 81
Figure 32: Hibiscus sabdariff a ................................ 83
Figure 33: Hypericum perforatum .......................... 85
Figure 34: Hyssopus offi cinalis ................................ 87
Figure 35: Ilex paraguariensis ................................ 88
Figure 36: Illicium verum, I. anisatum ................... 89
Figure 37: Lavandula angustifolia, L. latifolia .......92
Figure 38: Ligusticum porteri ................................94
Figure 39: Linum usitatissimum ............................95
Figure 40: Lobelia infl ata ................................ 96-97
Figure 41: Lycopus europaeus ........................... 98-99
Figure 42: Lycopus virginicus ...............................100
Figure 43: Marrubium vulgare,
M. perigrinum, Ballota hirsuta,
B. nigra .................................................. 102-103
Figure 44: Matricaria chamomilla,
Anthemis cotula ...................................... 104-105
Figure 45: Medicago sativa ..................................106
Figure 46: Melissa offi cinalis,
Nepeta cataria ..................................... 107-108
Figure 47: Mentha ×piperita, M. canadensis ........109
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce xi

Figure 48: Mitchella repens ..................................111
Figure 49: Olea europaea ............................. 112-113
Figure 50: Panax quinquefolius ................... 114-115
Figure 51: Passifl ora incarnata ............................117
Figure 52: Peumus boldus ....................................118
Figure 53: Phyllanthus amarus .................... 119-120
Figure 54: Phyllanthus fraternus,
P. niruri, P. urinaria ............................... 122-125
Figure 55: Pimpinella anisum,
Petroselinum crispum ......................................126
Figure 56: Plantago afra, P. major .......................128
Figure 57: Plantago major, P. lanceolata,
Digitalis lanata ..............................................131
Figure 58: Prunella vulgaris ................................133
Figure 59: Rhamnus cathartica ............................134
Figure 60: Rosmarinus offi cinalis .........................135
Figure 61: Rubus idaeus, R. fruticosus ..................137
Figure 62: Salvia offi cinalis, S. fruticosa ...............141
Figure 63: Sambucus nigra ..................................143
Figure 64: Sanguinaria canadensis ......................145
Figure 65: Scutellaria laterifl ora,
Teucrium canadense ................................ 148-149
Figure 66: Senna alexandrina, S. italica ..............151
Figure 67: Serenoa repens ....................................152
Figure 68: Sida cordifolia .....................................153
Figure 69: Silybum marianum .............................155
Figure 70: Solidago virgaurea, S. gigantea............159
Figure 71: Stellaria media ...................................161
Figure 72: Stevia rebaudiana ...............................162
Figure 73: Tanacetum parthenium,
T. vulgare ............................................... 164-165
Figure 74: Taraxacum offi cinale ...........................166
Figure 75: Th ymus vulgaris, T. zygis ....................169
Figure 76: Tilia platyphyllos, T. cordata,
T. ×europaea ........................................... 170-171
Figure 77: Trifolium pratense ..............................172
Figure 78: Trigonella foenum-graecum ................173
Figure 79: Turnera diff usa ...................................174
Figure 80: Tylophora indica .................................176
Figure 81: Urtica dioica, Urtica urens ..................179
Figure 82: Viscum album subsp. album ................185
Figure 83: Vitex agnus-castus ............................. 187
Figure 84: Vitis vinifera ..................................... 188
Figure 85: Withania somnifera ........................... 189
Figure 86: Leaf characters .................................198
Figure 87: Common infl orescence types ...........199
xii Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants:

Equisetum arvense L.
Standardized Common Name: Horsetail
Other Common Names: Common Horsetail, Field
Horsetail, Joint Grass
Family: Equisetaceae
Taxonomy: Equisetum is a pteridophyte (non-seed plant) genus
of about 15 species, found nearly worldwide. Hybridization
among similar species is not uncommon; E. ×litorale Kühlewein
ex Ruprecht, a hybrid between E. arvense and E. fl uviatile, occurs
throughout northern North America. Equisetum arvense is
extremely variable in gross morphology; Hauke (1966) estimates
that over 200 infraspecifi c taxa have been described. However,
the features that distinguish these supposed varieties or forms
are often under environmental control, so that multiple forms
may appear in a single individual.
Description: Perennial, rhizomatous herb with jointed stems
branching at the nodes; leaves whorled, reduced to a sheath surrounding
the nodes. Reproductive stems and vegetative stems
generally separate; reproductive stems brown, unbranched,
short-lived, with rounded cones at apex; cones borne on vegetative
stems in occasional abnormal plants. Vegetative stems 2–100
cm tall, 0.8–4.5 mm in diameter; internodes 1.4–4.5 cm long,
with 4–16 ridges separated by valleys; in cross-section hollow,
with central canal 1/3–2/3 diameter of stem (reduced in small
stems), with large hollow spaces (vallecular canals) beneath valleys
and small carinal canals beneath ridges, closer to central
canal. Leaf sheaths on stems squarish in face view, 2–5(–10)
mm high, 2–5(–9) mm broad; teeth 1–3.5 mm long, dark, narrow,
often cohering in pairs. Branches in regular whorls at most
nodes, ascending, solid, 3–4-ridged, with fi rst internodes longer
than the subtending stem sheaths; sheath teeth attenuated.
Parts in Commerce: Vegetative stems
Identifi cation:
• First internode of each branch, except at the lowest
nodes, longer than the subtending stem sheath
• Branches solid, lacking central cavity
• Branches occur in regular whorls on most or all of
stem, not confi ned to midstem or lower part of stem
• Branches 3–4-angled, normally not further
branched
• Stem sheath teeth (4–)8–10(–16), usually under
4 mm long, dark (not reddish), narrow, stiff (not
papery), often cohering in pairs
• Branch sheath teeth attenuate (not broadly triangular)
Adulterants: E. arvense may be confused with other species
of Equisetum. It is particularly important that E. arvense
be distinguished from E. palustre L., as the latter
species, which has been found as a contaminant of the
former, is toxic when consumed by livestock. Diff erences
between the two include:
Number of stem ridges
and stem sheath teeth
Position of branch
whorls on stem
Length of fi rst
internode of each
branch
E. arvense E. palustre
(4–)8–10(–16) 4–10
Regular whorls along
whole length of stem
Longer than
subtending stem
sheath
Branch ridge number 3–4 4–6
Central cavity of
branches
Absent; branches
solid
Stem sheath teeth Dark with
inconspicuous
light margins; often
cohering in pairs
Branch sheath teeth Lanceolate-attenuate Triangular
References:
Only at midstem nodes;
other nodes lacking
branch whorls
Shorter than subtending
stem sheath
Present (observe near
base of branches)
Dark with conspicuous
white, membranous
margins
Hauke RL. A systematic study of Equisetum arvense. Nova Hedwigia.
1966;13:81–109.
Hauke RL. A taxonomic monograph of Equisetum Subgenus
Equisetum. Nova Hedwigia. 1978;30:385–455.
Hauke RL. Equisetaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial
Committee, eds. Flora of North America. Vol. 2. New York, NY:
Oxford University Press; 1993:76–84.
66 Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants:

A
E
5 mm
3 mm
1 mm
2 mm
F
G
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce 67
C
2 cm
Figure 25: a–d, Equisetum arvense; e–g, E. palustre.
B
D

Pimpinella anisum L.
Standardized Common Name: Anise
Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Taxonomy: Pimpinella is a genus of about 150 Old World
herbs. Pimpinella anisum is one of 16 species that grows wild
in Europe, and has been widely cultivated for millennia. Synonyms
include Anisum offi cinale DC., Anisum vulgare Gaertn.,
Apium anisum Crantz and Pimpinella aromatica Bieb.
Description: Annual herb. Stem (10–)30–50(–100) cm high,
sometimes bearing small bristles. Leaves basal and cauline; basal
leaves petiolate, simple, ovate or reniform, 2–5 cm long, the
margins dentate to serrate; stem leaves with sheathing petioles,
alternate, 1–2(–3)-pinnately or ternately compound, the leafl ets
ca. 1.5–4 cm long, linear or ovate to rhomboid and toothed to
deeply pinnatifi d. Infl orescence a compound umbel, long-peduncled,
with 7–15 rays, bractless or with 1 linear bract; umbellets
7–12(–15)-fl owered, without bracteoles or with few small
linear bracteoles; fl owers small, white or yellowish, 5-petalled.
Fruit a schizocarp of 2 mericarps, (2–)3–5(–7) mm long, ovoid,
laterally compressed, constricted at commissure, with short scaly
hairs; vallecular vittae usually 3, commissural vittae 2–4(–6);
stylopodium conical.
Parts in Commerce: Fruits
Identifi cation: See glossary for explanation of the technical
terms pertaining to umbel fruits.
• Schizocarp usually intact, not split into individual
mericarps, and often still attached to the slender
pedicel
• (2–)3–5(–7) mm long
• Ovoid or pear-shaped; apex narrowed and ending
in conical stylopodium
• Broad at commissure, but grooved on both sides
between mericarps
• Greenish or yellowish brown; ribs yellowish, paler
than valleculae
• Ribs delicate, threadlike, straight, at least as broad
as high
• Pubescent with small yellowish scaly hairs; hairs
may be worn off , but are easiest to observe in commissural
grooves or in valleculae near apex
• Vittae usually at least 3 per vallecula, quite inconspicuous;
commissural vittae usually 2–4, observable
in cross-section or in separated mericarps as
pale ridges on commissural face
• Endosperm in cross-section fl at along commissural
face
• Odor of crushed fruit strong, aromatic
• Taste characteristic, aromatic, pleasant
Figure 55: a, Pimpinella anisum fruit; b, Petroselinum
crispum fruit.
126 Th e Identifi cation of Medicinal Plants:
0.5 mm
2 mm
A
B

Adulterants: Literature reports adulteration by Petroselinum
crispum (Mill.) A. W. Hill (Parsley), also important
in commerce, and Conium maculatum L. (poison hemlock),
a toxic plant that is no longer sold as medicinal.
Th ese share relatively small, ovoid fruits with threadlike
ribs (although some material of C. maculatum has narrow,
elongated fruits), but they may be distinguished easily by
several morphological features, as well as great diff erences
in aroma and taste:
Pimpinella
anisum
Pubescence Short scaly hairs,
often persistent
only in grooves
near apex and
commissure
Primary ribs (in
dried fruits)
Straight; usually
at least as broad
as high
Vittae 2 or more on
commissural face,
numerous and
hard to observe in
valleculae
Commissure Fairly broad (but
narrower than
fruit)
Endosperm at
commissural
face in crosssection
Petroselinum
crispum
Conium
maculatum
Hairless Hairless;
minute teeth
may be seen
in valleculae of
immature fruits
Straight; usually
broader than high
2 on commissural
face; 1 per
vallecula, very
broad, giving
valleculae brown
color
Tend to undulate
especially in
immature fruits;
usually higher
than broad;
often somewhat
notched or
toothed
Absent at fruit
maturity
Constricted Constricted
Flat Flat Deeply grooved
References:
Arenas Posada JA, García Martín F. Atlas carpológico y
corológico de la subfamilia Apioideae Drude (Umbelliferae) en
España peninsular y Baleares. Ruizia. 1993;12:1–245.
Cappellettii EM. Botanical identifi cation of Anise and Hemlock
fruits in powdered drug samples. Planta Med. 1979;39:88–
94.
Matthews VA. Pimpinella. In: Davis PH. Flora of Turkey and the
East Aegean Islands. Vol. 4. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University
Press; 1972:352–364.
Tutin TG. Pimpinella. In: Tutin TG, Heywood VH, Burges NA,
et al., eds. Flora Europaea. Vol. 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press; 1968:331–333.
Tutin TG. Umbellifers of the British Isles. London: Botanical Society
of the British Isles; 1980. B.S.B.I. Handbook, No. 2.
Wichtl M, ed. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, 3 rd English
ed. Stuttgart: medpharm Scientifi c Publishers and Boca
Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2004:42–44.
A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce 127