Histology of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott Rhizome

Abstract

Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott is a non-flowering medicinal fern used as fodder and recognised in traditional medicine for its anthelmintic relevance. The rhizome, also known as male fern and locally referred to as Iruvi or Hirvi in Tamil, is used in the Siddha system of medicine but is also associated with toxicity when administered without appropriate caution. This study evaluated the morphological, anatomical and preliminary phytochemical characteristics of the rhizome. Hand sections of the plant material were prepared, stained with safranin and mounted in glycerine for microscopic examination. Aqueous, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts were also prepared by cold maceration and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. The rhizome was thick, cylindrical and dark brown to black, with persistent frond bases and ramenta. Anatomically, it showed a single-layered epidermis with a thick cuticle, sclerenchymatous hypodermis, parenchymatous ground tissue containing starch grains and circularly arranged meristeles. Each meristele showed xylem centrally placed and surrounded by phloem. Powder microscopy revealed scalariform tracheids, starch grains, ramental hairs, sclerenchymatous cells and glandular structures. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and other secondary metabolites, particularly in the ethyl acetate extract. These findings provide useful pharmacognostic parameters for identification and authentication of this medicinal fern.