STUDY ON ANATOMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OFCLERODENDRUM QUADRILOCULARE (BLANCO) MERR

Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr., commonly called as the bronze-leaved Clerodendrum, shooting star, or Starburst bush, is native to New Guinea and Philippines. It coming under the family Lamiaceae.Traditionally, C. quadriloculare is used in Filipino folk medicine. Despite its traditional medicinal use, systematic anatomical studies on the plant are limited. Investigating its anatomical featuresare crucial for authenticating traditional claims, preventing adulteration, and distinguishing sibling species. Microscopic examination of C. quadrilocularereveals distinct superficial and anatomical characteristics. The leaf anatomy shows lower lamina comprises starch grains. The leaves exhibit anomocytic stomata. Numerous glandular dots are present on the epidermal peel. The midrib shows a thick cuticular epidermis with glandular hairs. The medulla features vascular bundles, with the outer phloem region having fibrous bands. The pith consists of small prismatic crystals. The petioles anatomy includes a thick-walled epidermis and numerous glandular trichomes. The vascular bundleswith brachysclereids as bundle caps. The stems transverse section reveals an outer periderm with lenticels. The outer edge of the secondary phloem contains fibers. The xylem vessels are linearly arranged and uni-bi seriate, with the presence of xylem parenchyma and fibers. The pith is thick-walled, with primary bundles intruding into it. The wood highlights tracheids and large vessel elements, with lateral vessel walls featuring bordered pits. The bark is well-deposited with starch granules. In conclusion, the anatomical study of C. quadriloculare provides a comprehensive understanding of its internal structure, contributing to the scientific validation of its traditional medicinal uses. The findings highlight the plants complex histological features, which are essential for its identification, potential medicinal applications, and conservation. This research underscores the importance of anatomical profiling in authenticating traditional knowledge and protecting valuable plant species from adulteration and misidentification.