Identification of Indian Sida through mericarp

Background: some of the species of Sida are being used as medicine in traditional therapies and available in the market as broken plant parts. Therefore, adulteration is very common. A study was conducted to identify the Indian Sida L. through morphological features of mericarp found in the market samples. Methodology: the fruits of Sida are collected from field in flowering and fruiting stage. The identity of the species were determined and dried mature fruit (schizocarp) of specimens were dissected and studied under compound microscope. The market samples were purchased from various parts of the India and fruits were investigated to match the key characters have been found during the study. Results: mericarp of Sida possess huge diversity and it is a reliable character for identification. Each species of Sida has unique mericarp structure. However, some of the species like, Sida alba have four different types of mericarp but they different from mericarps of other species. I have come across with 27 different types of mericarps in Indian Sida. Conclusion: mericarp morphology is a key character to determine the identity of the species. Based on mericarp features a bracketed dichotomous key has been prepared for identification. The species of Indian Sida may be identified the help of mericarp morphology.