Withania somnifera (root)

Nomenclature

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal   Solanaceae  
Standardized common name (English): ashwagandha  
Ayurvedic name(s): ashvagandha

Botanical Voucher Specimen

Source: MOBOT, Tropicos.org

Organoleptic Characteristics

Color: Yellowish brown or light brown. Outer surface is buff to gray-yellow with longitudinal wrinkles and in the center soft, solid mass with scattered pores. Odor: Characteristic. Taste: Bitter and acrid. Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd

Macroscopic Characteristics

Aerial parts Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd http://www.naturalremedy.com/ Flower Source: Encyclopedia of Life http://eol.org/data_objects/19246862 Fruit Source: Encyclopedia of Life http://eol.org/data_objects/19246863 Ripe Fruit Source: Encyclopedia of Life http://eol.org/data_objects/19246864 Dried roots Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd http://www.naturalremedy.com/

Microscopic Characteristics

Transverse section: The young roots have less secondary tissue and prominent cortex. Primary xylem is tetrarch. In matured roots, the cork cells are isodiametric and non-lignified. As the roots increases in diameter it produces more secondary tissue which has more of ray parenchyma cells. The cells are nearly square in shape and in rows. Cells are filled with starch grains, small vascular bundles with one or two vessels and few fibers found in the secondary xylem. Intercellular spaces are present in phloem parenchyma while it is absent in xylem parenchyma. Fibers absent in phloem and present in xylem. Starch grains, simple, reniform and oval, normally found in parenchyma of the cortex andvascular region. Powder: Nearly white in color, xylem vessels with scaleriform and pitted thickenings. Xylem parenchyma is having bordered pits. Plenty of starch grains varying in size, circular or oval in shape, singular and sometimes compound, 2-3 grains. Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd Thick root transverse section (x100) Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd http://www.naturalremedy.com/ Root transverse section Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd http://www.naturalremedy.com/ Root transverse section (x400) Source: Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd http://www.naturalremedy.com/