T.S. of young stem showed presence of ridges and furrows along with most of the typical monocot characters such as large pith and irregularly arranged vascular bundles (Fig 2). Epidermis consisted of single layer of dumbbell shaped cells possessing thick layer of cuticle followed by cortex region. Cortex was seen differentiated into outer 3-4 layers of collenchymatous cells below ridges and furrows and an inner continuous layer of parenchymatous cells. Vascular bundles were found scattered irregularly with larger ones placed towards the inner side and smaller ones developing in peripheral region. Vascular bundles were of collateral and closed type with metaxylem present on its outer side. In addition centrally placed pith composed of larger cell size 

2 Microscopic characters of cladodes

Horizontal section of cladodes viewed triangular in outline with a single cell layer of dumbbell shaped epidermal cells. Below the epidermis 2-3 palisade cell layers with centrally placed vascular tissue zone was present. Xylem and phloem were found intermixed in the central zone.

3 Microscopic characters of the root Transverse section of root clearly showed the outermost layer of epidermal cells, compactly arranged, thick walled cells forming the piliferous layer. Below the epidermis two types of cortex were present i.e. outer lignified cortex and inner parenchymatous cortex. Sclerenchymatous fibres were found scattered in the cortex while some of them on maceration appeared as scattered fibres. A well-developed sheath of stone cells surrounding the endodermis was present at all levels of root. The innermost 1 or 2 layers of cortex immediately outside endodermis comprises of thick walled cells, with numerous circular or oval pits on their walls. The endodermis beneath the sheath shows thickened radial and inner tangential walls. Inner to endodermis, a single layer of thin-walled, parenchymatous cells constituting the pericycle was present in form of a ring, which surrounds the central stele. Phloem and xylem groups, many in number, were arranged on alternate radii and form a ring. In some root samples, especially from plants growing in shaded places, the cortical sclerenchymatous fibres were confined either to the peripheral region only or were absent. Tracheids with usual thin pointed tapering ends and wide pith comprising of completely or partially lignified rounded cells were present