Chapter 7:

Cissus quadrangularis

Three varieties of 'Pirandai' mentioned in traditional Siddha literatures are selected. They are 'Sadurappiranchi', 'Urattuppirandai' and 'Olaippirandai'. 'Sadurappirandai' is botanically known as Cissus quadrangularis. But other two were not botanically identified. In the present study, 'Urutuppirandai' and 'Olaippirandai' are collected and grown in Tamil University Herbal Garden. Thanjavur. It has been observed that the three variants have distinct morphological features: Variant I ('Sadurappirandai') has four angled and winged stem, Variant II ('Uruttuppirandai') has four angled and wingless stem, Variant II ('Olaippirandai') has two side stem. Other morphological characters are identical in all the three variants as described in various Floras for Cissus quadrangularis. However, occasionally, Variant III produces three angled internodes and branched tendrils. In the breeding experiment of the three variants, it is observed that the stem characters are not changed. Anatomically, the three variants are identical. There is no qualitative difference between them. Other pharmacognostical standards also reveal more similarity than dissimilarity among the variants. Presences of ephemeric exudates in the aerial parts of the stem and presence of a node with bract in tendrils are the first reports made in this present study. Vitamin C content in tender shoots of Variant ill is the highest among the three variants. Presence of pearl glands, abnormal stomata and secretary cells as recorded in the previous reports are not observed in the present study. It is concluded that the 'Urutuppirandai' and 'Olaippirandai' mentioned in Siddha literatures are the variants of C. quadrangularis. However, morphological characters of the three variants show distinct features and each variants breeding true, other pharmacognostical standards do not show any qualitative differences among the variants. Hence, it is to be concluded that Variant II and Variant III may be considered as cultivars of C. quadrangularis.

Madhuca longifolia

M. longifolia var. lalifolia differs from M. longifolia var. longifolia by the presence of following characters. Leaves elliptic, pedicels stout, anthers 3 seriate, fruits ovoid and seeds are 1-6 per fruit. Var. longifolia have oblong to oblanceolate leaves, slender pedicels, ellipsoid fruits and one seeded fruits. Anatomical and phytochemical studies reveal more similarities between the varieties. Oil from seed kernels of both the varieties also shows similarity in 'analytical standards. Observation of 6 seeds per fruit and extraction of highest oil content (59.7%) in var. lalifolia are the first records. It is concluded that though the varieties show few qualitative differences in morphological characters, they have quantitative differences in anatomical and phytochemical characters. It is recommended iliat the trees of M. longifolia var. lalifolia used for the present study may be used as potential source for the selection of high yield strain for oil production.

Basella alba

This perennial and succulent vine is cultivated for its spinach and as ornamental. The qualitative differences observed in morphological characters is the color of the vine, var. alba is green and var. rubra is pink. In our cultivation studies, it is proved that the color of the varieties is genetically fixed. Anatomically both the varieties are indistinguishable. Presence of both paracytic and anisocytic types of stomata are reported for the first time. TLC studies distinguish the two varieties. Var. rubra has a band of anthocyanins pigments in the Rf value of 0.28. Other pharmacognostical standards show more similarity between the varieties. Since var. alba and var. rubra have similar morphological (except color of aerial parts), anatomical, physicochemical and phytochemical characters, it is recommended that var. rubra does not warrant a variety status but may be considered as a cultivars.