The identification of Baccharis spp. which have cladodes, defined as winged stems, brings difficulties even for taxonomists. Baccharis microcephala and B. trimera belong to the Trimera group and are known as carquejas. In folk medicine, it is common the use of winged species for the same therapeutic indication, such as diuretic, hepatoprotective and digestive. The monograph of B. trimera is included in the F. Bras. IV and this species shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bacteriostatic, bactericidal and antidiabetic activities. The species B. trimera and B. microcephala are alike and used by the population for the same therapeutic purposes. This work has aimed to study the external morphology and anatomy of the cladodes of these species, in order to contribute to the quality control of phytotherapic agents, as well as supply information for the taxonomic group. The botanical material was prepared for light and scanning electron microtechniques. Both species are three-winged, although the stem wings are narrow and nearly continuous in B. microcephala while in B. trimera they are wider and interrupted. The morphological characters and mainly the non-glandular trichomes allow these species to be distinguished.
Asteraceae; Baccharis microcephala; Baccharis trimera; Morpho-anatomy; Quality control
