Abstract: This study aimed to investigate in detail the Pharmacognostic & phytochemical analysis of the traditional medicinal and wild leafy vegetable plant Ipomea aquatica ’Forsk of the family Convolvulaceae commonly known as Karmota bhaji, water spinach, The plant consumed as a vegetable and consist as good source of vitamin, protein & fibers. Plants also have medicinal values useful for fever, jaundice, bronchitis, and liver inflammation. Plant materials of Ipomoea aquatica were collected From Maharitola. Gondia (MS) for morphological study. The plant is a twining and terrestrial habitat, The Stem is 2-3 meters, the leaves sagittate to lanceolate, and the flower is trumpet-shaped with five united pale purple petals. Anatomical characteristics of the stem show a multilayer cortex, compactly arranged cells, some cells filled with crystals, and latex with conjoint, collateral, and open types of vascular bundles. In T.S. of petiole single layer epidermis surrounded by cuticle followed by sclerenchymatous hypodermis, Vascular bundle consists medium size arc in the center & collateral type. The transverse section of leaves consists single layer of compactly arranged epidermis followed by three distinct zones of cortex made up of barrel-shaped cells and the Stomata distribution is Amphistomatic and Anisocytic. The root shows similar anatomical features to the stem made up of aerenchyma resulting in five hollow cavities in the root. Phytochemical analysis of leaves of different extracts Such as water, ethanol, methanol, acetone & Chloroform, shows the presence of carbohydrates, and proteins. Anthraquinones, Quinones, alkaloids, flavonoids, Glycosides, terpenoids, xanthoprotein tannins, resin & Coumarins were present. Gum and Mucilage, carboxylic acid, Triterpenoids, and anthocyanin were absent in all extracts. The result indicates that the leaves are rich in primary and secondary metabolites. Which is recommended for use as a leafy vegetable further elaborative investigation is needed to validate this plant for its daily consumption as a vegetable.

Keywords: - Phytochemical analysis, Anatomical study, leafy vegetable, Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2024.111108