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Abstract
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., commonly known as the sacred lotus, holds significant medicinal and cultural value, particularly its white-flowered variety, traditionally revered for its purity and symbolic importance. This study presents a detailed pharmacognostic evaluation of the petals of the white-flowered form through macroscopical, microscopical, and powder analysis. Macroscopically, the petals were observed to be whitish-green, glabrous, ovoid, and aromatic, with radiating parallel veins. Microscopically, the transverse section revealed a well-organized structure comprising upper and lower epidermis, mesophyll tissue with aerenchyma, vascular bundles, pigmented cells, and various trichomes. Powder microscopy showed distinctive features including papillate epidermis, spiral vessels, thick-walled fibers, aerenchyma, and cluster crystals. These findings provide essential diagnostic markers that aid in the proper identification, authentication, and quality control of N. nucifera floral material. The study forms a baseline for future phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, supporting its potential use in traditional and modern herbal formulations.