Pharmaceutic botanical researches on some althaea L. species growing in Turkey

This study focuses on botanical standardization for the scientific determination of medicinal plants. In order to define the botanical standards of Althaea officinalis L. well, the close species (A.hirsuta L., A.cannabina L.) belonging to the genus Althaea L. were included in the study. Samples used in the study were collected from natural habitats. Field studies were conducted (April - July 2019) in the west of Turkey. Samples were collected from Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Edirne and Çanakkale. Studies were performed; morphological, anatomical on roots and macroscopic-microscopic on powder roots. Compared with literature records and herbarium samples. The findings are presented in the form of interspecific comparison tables, supported by visuals. When the findings were evaluated; in the scientific determination of the plant, studies on the powder drug will not be sufficient especially for the close species, however, anatomical studies are more distinctive. The differences between the species as a result of anatomical studies; cortex cells carry dense starch in A.officinalis, less starch in A.cannabina, dont carry starch in A.hirsuta; druz crystals are widespread and dense in A.officinalis, dense in cortex of A.cannabina, rare in cortex of A.hirsuta; fat-bearing cells are common in all areas in A.officinalis, concentrated in the cortex of A.cannabina, absent in A.hirsuta; sclerenchyma fibers were observed to be less ligninized in A.officinalis and A.cannabina, intensely ligninized in A.hirsuta. In addition, reference species monograph was prepared for botanical standardization of Althaea officinalis, radix. Anatomical studies on the roots of A.hirsuta, A.cannabina were made for the first time in this study.Key Words: Althaea officinalis, Marshmallow, Malvaceae, Botanical standardization, Phytotherapy