Morpho-anatomy of Glechon spathulata Benth. (Lamiaceae) leaves

Glechon spathulata Benth. (Lamiaceae) is a native plant in Brazil popularly known as "mangerona-do-campo". This plant is a perennial sub-shrub with aromatic leaves used in South America as a condiment and in traditional medicine for different purposes, such as inflammations, dyspepsia, diaphoretic, expectorant and antiseptic in catarrhal affections of the respiratory tract, colds, bronchitis and laryngitis. In this study, morpho-anatomical parameters of leaves of this plant were determimed, by macro and microscopic analysis, aiming to help its diagnosis as a pharmaceutical ingredient. The leaves are sub-sessile with spatulate shape and subrevolute margin, finely crenulate in the middle-upper. The uniseriate epidermis shows straight to slightly sinuous cells, diacytic stomata and non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The mesophyll is dorsiventral, displaying an uniseriate palisade parenchyma and a little compact spongy parenchyma, with an average of 4 cell layers. The vascular bundles are collateral closed. There was no presence of crystals. These morphological and anatomical features, when taken together, contribute to quality control of plant leaves of G. spathulata as a pharmaceutical ingredient. Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires