Pharmacognostic evaluation of Bixa orellina l

Microscopic characters of root, stem, petiole and leaf of Bixa orellina L. belonging to family Bixaceae were studied. Root revealed presence of sclerenchymatous patches in pericycle, stem showed presence of dark green coloured cells containing starch grains, phloem and xylem in the form of a ring and sclerenchymatous pericycle, Mucilage canals were present in stem, petiole and midrib of the leaf. Leaf was amphistomatic, stomata anomocytic and glandular hairs arose from the lower surface of leaf. Therapeutic use of this plant is due to the presence of secoandary metabolites such as glycosides and alkaloids.