摘要 : A comparative study of two 'safed musli' species <i>i.e. Chlorophytum borivilianum</i> which is the only cultivated species at present and the reputed raw drug species <i>i.e. Chlorophytum arundinaceum</i> was conducted. The two s... 展开 A comparative study of two 'safed musli' species <i>i.e. Chlorophytum borivilianum</i> which is the only cultivated species at present and the reputed raw drug species <i>i.e. Chlorophytum arundinaceum</i> was conducted. The two species look although quite similar in gross morphology, there were conspicuous differences in leaf, floral parts and fleshy root as well as in rate of photosynthesis. <i>C. arundinaceum</i> is a hexaploid species (6x=42) and was found quite vigorous in growth. It has bigger leaves and higher photosynthetic rate and lower respiration rate than <i>C. borivilianum</i> which is a tetraploid species (4x=28). Meiotic study revealed the allopolyploid nature of both the species. Upper leaf surface of <i>C. borivilianum</i> was devoid of stomata which might be due to the distribution in arid climate. HPTLC analysis of fasciculated root extract of the two species showed similarity in majority of bands in both the species. Therefore, <i>C. arundinaceum</i> could be cultivated as a substitute of <i>C. borivilianum</i>, thereby decrease the collection pressure of <i>C. borivilianum</i> from wild habitats. 收起