Anatomical study of asparagus racemosus Willd. And A. officinalis L. roots

Objects of the study were Asparagus racemosus and A. officinalis roots. Both plants are traditionally used in world medical practice. The species are not included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (13 th edition). However, the remedies based on it come to the Russian pharmaceutical market. This makes an identification of root anatomic features of both these species and its comparative study necessary. Investigation of the transverse section of the roots and root powder were examined by means of light microscopy. A. racemosus is characterized by a primary structure of tuberous roots; calcium oxalate raphides are present in parenchyma cells of the cortex; slightly lignified parenchyma cells with branched pits above the endodermis (brachysclereids); the endodermal cells possess Casparian strips on the radial walls; stele consists of uniserial pericycle, thin-walled parenchymal cells, radial vascular bundle and pith. Powder microscopy of A. racemosus root shows the prese