Asteracantha longifolia Nees. applied in jaundice, dropsy, rheumatism, anasarca etc., show the pharmacognostic characters - spines, having perennial root stocks; bluish-purple 2-lipped flower; leaves - sessile, multichambered thick-walled sclerotic cell, among the epidermal cells of midrib, large flat bunch-shaped calcium carbonate crystals and needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals in the epidermal cells of lamina and in the cortical cells of midrib respectively; stomata-caryophyllaceous; stomatal index on upper surface: 23.46 (±.47); lower surface: 27.44 (± 52); palisade ratio: 10.23 (±.19) and vein islet number: 25.8 (±.69). © 1969 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.