Gardenia latifolia Ait. (Family: Rubiaceae) is an important traditional medicinal plant used in the treatment of various ailments like rheumatism, cuts, wounds, diarrhea, dysentery, remedy for indigestion in children etc. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material, in order to ascertain its quality and purity. In this paper, we report the pharmacognostic evaluation of the bark for the purpose of its identification and differentiation from related species. The macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the bark were investigated. Transverse section of the bark shows presence of cork, cortex, sclereids, medullary rays and presence of pericyclic fibres. Presence of cork, xylem vessels, phloem fibres and parenchyma cells are observed in the powdered sample of the bark. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins and phenolic compounds, flavonoids and terpenoids. The present study will be useful for its identification prior to carrying out further research work. The findings of this study will facilitate pharmacognostic standardization of the plant material and aid in the preparation of a herbal monograph for the species.
