Preetha P.S. and Shaniya Mol. P.N.
Abstract
Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. is a herb or under shrubs belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. It grows in loamy and sandy soils. It is commonly called small prickly chaff flower or pastures weed. It is used as a medicinal plant as well as food. The present study includes the morphological and elemental analysis of Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume consist of opposite, petiolate and entire leaves, with very small hermaphrodite flowers with bracts and bracteoles. The inflorescence is a raceme or a spike. The perianth of perfect flowers are scarious and five lobed. It has five stamens with filaments connate at the base. It has two celled anthers, obovoid and one celled ovary with a solitary ovule, simple style with capitulate stigma. The fruit is a membranous utricle enclosed in a perianth. The elemental composition of Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. Leaves have been determined by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Elements such as Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Na2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cr2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Ag2+ were determined. The result of analysis showed that calcium has the highest concentration, which helps to build bones and keeps them healthy and also helps in blood clotting, muscle contraction, heart beat etc. The plant also contains other essential elements like iron, magnesium, manganese etc. The toxic metals like lead and cadmium also present in trace amount. The purpose of this study is to analyze the morphology, pharmacological potential and composition of elements in Cyathulaprostrata (L.)Blume.