Background: Selinum is an aromatic perennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, and the genus comprises two main species found at high altitudes in Himachal Pradesh, which are Selinum vaginatum (Edgew.) C.B.Clarke and Ligusticopsis wallichiana (DC.) Pimenov & Kljuykov. These species exhibit a high level of morphological similarity, making it challenging to distinguish between them. Therefore, a thorough study is essential to prevent misidentification and minimize the risk of adulteration. The research aims to clarify the controversies between these two species by comparing their morphology, anatomy and phytochemical profile.
Methods: A total of 31 quantitative morphological characters were selected, out of which 12 were reproductive, and 19 were vegetative. Sectional analyses and stereomicroscopic imaging were employed in the anatomical investigation. In addition, the essential oil of the entire plant of both species was analysed using gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to see secondary metabolites.
Results: Results showed that the trichomes were present on the stem and mericarp of Ligusticopsis wallichiana but were not observed in the stem of Selinum vaginatum. The transverse section of the mericarp revealed differences in the number of vitae, while the stem showed variations in the number and structures of vascular bundles in both the species. Four compounds were common to both species i.e. Z-β-Ocimene, 3,5-Nonadiyne, cis-β-Farnesene, and α-Bisabolol, while remaining compounds were unique to each species.
Conclusion: The morphological and anatomical analysis, along with phytochemical investigations of putative chemotaxonomic marker compounds, can serve as valuable tools to support plant identification and classification, helping to prevent adulteration. This study suggests that combining structural traits and phytochemical profiling could help delineate the taxonomically challenging Selinum genus.
Morphology, anatomy, mericarp, phytochemistry, essential oil, SEM
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