Myrtaceae

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1. FAMILY : MYRTACEAE

2. Range from woody shrubs to tall trees Leaves are aromatic, containing oil glands Flowers may be white, pink, red, purple, yellow. They usually have five sepals and petals and many stamens. Stamens are long and conspicuous. Fruit is generally woody Some plants in this family are: Syzygium aromaticum ( Lwang ) , Syzygium cumini ( Jamuna ) and other Syzygium species Psidium guajava ( Amba ) and Psidium species Eucalyptus globulus and other Eucalyptus species Key characters of family ‘Myrtaceae’

3. Synonyms : Eugenia aromatica Eugenia caryophyllatum Jambosa caryophyllus Myrtus caryophyllus Common names: Nepali: Lwang English: clove Distribution and Habitat: Plants grows well in rich, loamy soil with high humus content Also grows well near the sea in open sandy loam and at altitudes from sea level to 600m (Tropical) Native to North Moluccas, the spice Islands of Indonesia. It is cultivated in Mauritius, India, Srilanka, Brazil, the West Indies, Pemba Islands Syzygium aromaticum (Lwang)

4. Evergreen plant,10-20m high Leaves: opposite, egg-shaped to elliptic 6-13cm by 3-6cm Flower reddish brown in color Lower stalk-like ‘hypanthium’ and upper called ‘crown’ or ‘cap’ Hypanthium is surrounded with 4 thick divergent sepals and dome-shaped corolla Upper portion shows inferior bilocular ovary and oil glands Crown consists of Calyx, Corolla, Stamen and Style Corolla-imbricate membranous petals Stamens-numerous, free, introse, tetradelphous Gynoecium-inferior bilocular ovary with numerous ovules and axile placentation, style in centre, nectar disc at the base Fruit: small, dark red colored berry, 2-2.5 cm long Odour : Strong, spicy and aromatic Taste: Pungent aromatic Morphological Characters

5. Figure: Clove flowering buds

6. T.S of hypanthium shows : Epidermis with thick cuticle and stomata Collenchymatus Parenchyma containing numerous schizoly-sigenous oil glands Calcium oxalate clusters in Parenchyma Zone of slightly thick walled cells embedding arising of about 15 bilateral vascular bundles Parenchyma containing air spaces or lacuna (Arenchyma) Central columella-Thick walled Parenchymatous cells containing cluster crystals of calcium oxalate and 20-25 small vascular bundles Microscopical Characters

7. Figure: Transverse section of Clove hypanthium

8. A & B=two types of clove ; C =Fruit (mother clove) ; D= stalk ; E =L.S of clove bud ; F =T.S. of clove hypanthium ; G= stamen ; H= petal

9. Dried flower buds Parts used

10. Clove contains about 14-20% of volatile oil,10-13% of tannin Characterized by presence of Eugenol (mostly) 60-95%, Eugenol Acetate (2-27%) and β caryophyllene (5-10%) Chemical Constituents Eugenol - caryophyllene

11. Clove oil used as analgesic, antiseptic, aromatic, anthelmintic, mosquito repellent, anti-rheumatic, carminative agent, antibiotic Dentists also use clove oil to disinfect root canal Clove’s oil is used aromatherapy when stimulation and warming are needed , especially for digestive problems Used in preparation of gargles, mouthwash and toothpastes Clove oil is used in the preparation of scented cigarettes Uses

12. The Natural History Museum,2013,Viable Herbal Solutions Website Kokate C.K, 1996, Practical of Pharmacognosy, 4 th edition, Deihi-110034, Vallabh Prakashan References