Morphological and Biochemical Study of Four Species of the Genus <i>Heliotropium</i><i> </i>L. (Boraginaceae) from the State of Punjab, India

Four <i>Heliotropium</i> species <i>viz. </i><i>H.bacciferum</i>, <i>H.currasavicum</i>, <i>H.ellipticum</i> and <i>H.strigosum</i><i> </i>were documented from Malwa region of Punjab, India during the years 2019-2021. Different morphological parameters were examined for identification. For screening of Phytochemicals of four species of the genus <i>Heliotropium</i><i>,</i> two parts of plant (inflorescence and rest of plant) were selected. Extracts of each plant parts were prepared in water, ethanol and hexane and examined twenty one phytochemicals (Alkaloids, Amino acids, Anthocyanin, Betaxanthin, Carbohydrates, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Gums and mucilage, Oxalate, Phenols, Phlobatannins, Proteins, Quinones, Reducing sugars, Resin, Saponins, Starch, Steroids, Tannins and Terpenoids) were studied. Present study will be useful for taxonomists, botanists, ethnobotanists <i>etc</i>. in identification of <i>Heliotropium</i> species and information about important biochemicals will be useful for pharmaceutical departments.