Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) morphology and histology are essential topics for B. Pharm students, linking plant structure to medicinal properties. This brief, focused overview emphasizes macroscopic identification—annual herb, pinnate leaves, umbel inflorescences and aromatic schizocarpic fruits—and microscopic anatomy: epidermis, stomata, glandular trichomes, collateral vascular bundles, secretory vittae (oil ducts) and oil-rich endosperm. Understanding these features supports pharmacognostic authentication, powder microscopy, histochemical tests and detection of adulteration. Knowledge of coriander’s fruit anatomy, secretory structures and characteristic constituents (e.g., linalool) is vital for quality control and formulation. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which family does Coriandrum sativum belong to?
- Apiaceae
- Lamiaceae
- Asteraceae
- Fabaceae
Correct Answer: Apiaceae
Q2. What is the growth habit of coriander?
- Perennial shrub
- Annual herb
- Biennial tree
- Climbing vine
Correct Answer: Annual herb
Q3. The typical leaf type of coriander is described as:
- Simple, orbicular leaves
- Pinnate or bipinnate leaves
- Needle-like leaves
- Basal rosette only
Correct Answer: Pinnate or bipinnate leaves
Q4. The inflorescence of coriander is best described as:
- Spike
- Panicle
- Umbel
- Catkin
Correct Answer: Umbel
Q5. Coriander flowers typically have how many petals and stamens?
- 3 petals and 3 stamens
- 4 petals and 4 stamens
- 5 petals and 5 stamens
- Many petals and many stamens
Correct Answer: 5 petals and 5 stamens
Q6. The fruit of coriander is classified as which type?
- Capsule
- Schizocarp splitting into mericarps
- Drupe
- Achene
Correct Answer: Schizocarp splitting into mericarps
Q7. In coriander fruit, the oil-containing ducts are called:
- Laticifers
- Vittae
- Sclereids
- Resin canals
Correct Answer: Vittae
Q8. The major aroma-contributing constituent of coriander essential oil is often:
- Menthol
- Cineole
- Linalool
- Alkaloids
Correct Answer: Linalool
Q9. In transverse section of coriander stem, vascular bundles are usually:
- Scattered randomly (monocot type)
- Arranged in a ring (dicot type)
- In a hollow cylinder only
- Absent
Correct Answer: Arranged in a ring (dicot type)
Q10. Which cell type is commonly associated with storage and may contain starch in coriander seed histology?
- Sclerenchyma
- Parenchyma of endosperm
- Collenchyma
- Tracheids
Correct Answer: Parenchyma of endosperm
Q11. Which histological feature is most diagnostic in powder microscopy of coriander fruit?
- Presence of stomata
- Vittae (oil ducts) and oil droplets
- Resinous amber pieces
- Large fibers only
Correct Answer: Vittae (oil ducts) and oil droplets
Q12. The epidermal stomatal type commonly reported in coriander leaves is:
- Anomocytic (irregular-celled)
- Paracytic (parallel-celled)
- Diacytic (two-celled)
- Sunken stomata with subsidiary cells only
Correct Answer: Anomocytic (irregular-celled)
Q13. Which trichome type is commonly found on coriander aerial parts contributing to aroma?
- Non-glandular simple hairs only
- Glandular trichomes secreting essential oils
- Stinging hairs
- Scale-like overlapping trichomes
Correct Answer: Glandular trichomes secreting essential oils
Q14. In pharmacognosy, which reagent gives a blue reaction with terpenoids/essential oil in Apiaceae fruits (NADI test)?
- Dragendorff’s reagent
- NADI reagent
- Ferric chloride
- Wagner’s reagent
Correct Answer: NADI reagent
Q15. Which microscopic structure indicates the presence of secretory system in coriander fruit transverse sections?
- Vessels only
- Vittae and secretory ducts in the pericarp
- Large sclerenchyma blocks only
- Thick cuticle without ducts
Correct Answer: Vittae and secretory ducts in the pericarp
Q16. Coriander seed morphology used in macroscopic identification typically shows:
- Flattened, winged seeds
- Ovoid to globose mericarps with longitudinal ridges
- Papery samaras
- Large fleshy drupe
Correct Answer: Ovoid to globose mericarps with longitudinal ridges
Q17. Which tissue in coriander stem provides mechanical strength and may appear as thick-walled cells?
- Parenchyma
- Sclerenchyma and fibers
- Epidermis only
- Secretory parenchyma only
Correct Answer: Sclerenchyma and fibers
Q18. Which of the following is a reliable histochemical stain for detecting lipids in coriander powder?
- Safranin
- Sudan III or Sudan IV
- Phloroglucinol
- Hematoxylin
Correct Answer: Sudan III or Sudan IV
Q19. In coriander fruit, the vittae are located in which part?
- Only in seed coat
- In the cortex of mericarp/pericarp
- Only in the embryo
- Exclusive to the root
Correct Answer: In the cortex of mericarp/pericarp
Q20. Powder microscopy of coriander often shows which of the following under oil immersion?
- Calcium oxalate raphides exclusively
- Numerous oil globules (essential oil droplets)
- Large prismatic crystals only
- Only lignified fibers without oil
Correct Answer: Numerous oil globules (essential oil droplets)
Q21. The embryo orientation in coriander seed is generally:
- Straight embryo with no curvature
- Curved embryo enclosing a copious endosperm
- Absent embryo
- Many small embryos
Correct Answer: Curved embryo enclosing a copious endosperm
Q22. Which anatomical character helps differentiate coriander from many adulterants in powder form?
- Presence of broad, flat epidermal cells only
- Characteristic vittae and specific oil droplet pattern
- Absence of any vessels
- Only presence of cork cells
Correct Answer: Characteristic vittae and specific oil droplet pattern
Q23. Which cell layer lies just beneath the epidermis and may contain chloroplasts in coriander leaf anatomy?
- Endodermis
- Palisade and spongy mesophyll (mesophyll layers)
- Sclerenchyma cap only
- Pericycle
Correct Answer: Palisade and spongy mesophyll (mesophyll layers)
Q24. Which pharmacognostic parameter is commonly used for quality control of coriander fruits?
- Moisture content, volatile oil content and ash values
- Only color visually
- Only seed weight
- Presence of bark fragments
Correct Answer: Moisture content, volatile oil content and ash values
Q25. Which vascular arrangement is typical for coriander root cross-section?
- Ring of scattered vascular bundles (monocot root)
- Central xylem with radiating arms (dicot root)
- No xylem present
- Vascular bundles on the surface only
Correct Answer: Central xylem with radiating arms (dicot root)
Q26. During microscopic drug standardization, which feature of coriander fruit is counted or measured to assess quality?
- Number and size of vittae per mericarp
- Number of root hairs
- Length of petiole only
- Leaves per plant only
Correct Answer: Number and size of vittae per mericarp
Q27. Which statement about coriander secretory structures is correct?
- Secretory vittae store alkaloids exclusively
- Vittae and glandular trichomes store volatile oils and terpenoids
- There are no secretory structures in coriander
- Secretions are limited to tannin cells only
Correct Answer: Vittae and glandular trichomes store volatile oils and terpenoids
Q28. A common histochemical test for terpenoids in Apiaceae fruits gives what colour reaction with NADI reagent?
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- No colour change
Correct Answer: Blue
Q29. Which microscopical fragment from coriander powder indicates the presence of fracture planes and oil ducts?
- Calcium carbonate deposits
- Mericarp fragments showing vittae and oil droplets
- Only stomatal fragments
- Only lignified vessel elements without oil
Correct Answer: Mericarp fragments showing vittae and oil droplets
Q30. Why is understanding coriander histology important for B. Pharm students?
- Only for botanical classification without practical use
- It aids pharmacognostic identification, quality control and detection of adulteration
- It replaces the need for chemical analysis
- It is only of historical interest
Correct Answer: It aids pharmacognostic identification, quality control and detection of adulteration
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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