Comparative Study of Macroscopic and Microscopic Features of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium L.)

<jats:p>Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.), family Fabaceae – legumes, are widespread in the world flora, have valuable medicinal properties. The Trifolium pratense L. herb monographs are included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XV edition and USP 36/NF31, Trifolium medium L. is currently being studied. The overlapping habitat of both Trifolium species and similar external appearance make it important to differentiate both plants during the harvesting and the herbal drug when identification determining. To conduct a comparative macro- and microscopic analysis of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.) herb to establish the specific characteristics of external and anatomical diagnostic features. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.) herb samples were collected in Moscow region of the Russian Federation in summer 2024. The analysis of microscopic structures was carried out on a Leica DM1000 light microscope (Germany) with a 10x/20 eyepiece and 10x/0.25 and 40x/0.65 objectives. A comparative analysis of the macroscopic and microscopic features of the red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.) herb was carried out. The stems, leaves, inflorescences were examined. External features were determined, their importance for differentiating species features both in nature and in determining identification of medicinal plant raw material were revealed. The size and frequency of occurrence per 1 mm2 of the main anatomical-diagnostic features of all parts of the herb were established.</jats:p>