Anatomical Features of Salvia divinorum Epling and Játiva-M as Supporting Information in Marketed Product Identification

The use of Salvia divinorum Epling and Játiva-M as a popular hallucinogen has recently spread throughout the world, especially through e-commerce and among young people [1]. S. divinorum is currently a controlled substance in 22 countries in Europe and Asia [2]. The species is not included in the Controlled Substances Act in the United States, although, as of July 1, 2011, 31 states have enacted legislation placing regulatory controls on S. divinorum and its main active compound, salvinorin A. A description of the morphology of S. divinorum and distribution of the trichomes was previously published [3] but no anatomical characterization was done. The aim of this work was to provide a description of the leaf and stem anatomy of the fresh plant as well as a description of the powdered dried material, the most common form of S. divinorum sold on the market. A detailed examination of all of the types of trichomes was also performed and new trichomes were found. These results conclude that microscopic analysis can be useful as a supplementary identification method for S. divinorum material. Acknowledgements: We thank the National Institute of Medicines in Warsaw for the financial support. References: [1] Lange JE, Reed MB, et al. (2008) Drug Alcohol Depend. 94: 263–266. [2] Siebert DJ (2011) http://www.sagewisdom.org/legalstatus.html. [3] Siebert DJ (2004) Ann Bot 93: 763–777.