Anatomy of leaf and stem of medicinal Verbenaceae used in Mexico

Currently, Aloysia triphylla, Lantana camara, Lippia dulcis, Verbena bipinnatifida, V carolina, and V litoralis, are in the waiting for list to be included in the Herbal Pharmacopoeia of the United Mexican States. In order to contribute for incorporation and identification of these species, in this study, anatomical vegetative characters, leaf and stem, of these six Verbenaceae used in Mexican traditional medicine, were compared. Two types of simple and nine capitate glandular trichomes are recognized. Glandular trichomes vary in number cells and size in the stalk, as well as in number cell in the head. Leaf anatomical characters of A. triphylla differ from the other species. The lamina shape, combination of types of glandular trichomes and anatomical features in midrib and petiole are the ones with higher diagnostic value in species recognition.