Essential oil composition and anatomical study of Oliveria decumbens Vent.

Oliveria genus belongs to Umbeliferae family and only has one species, Oliveria decumbens Vent endemic to Iran. On the other hand, essential oils are of secondary materials in plants widely used in the food, hygienic and pharmaceutical industry, and also as antimicrobial compounds. Oliveria decumbens was collected from northwest mountains of Kuh-dasht in Lorestan province. Afterward, plant materials were dried in shade and hydro distillated using a Clevenger apparatus. The oil was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The anatomical studies were carried out using distaining method with Bismark brown and methyl green. GC and GC/MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in identification of 16 compounds representing 96.4% of the total oil. Anatomical studies showed that the surface of leaves was covered by non-glandular hairs while in cross section of the stems, the secretory canals were observed in cortex region.