Morphoanatomy studies of the leaves of of Moluccella laevis L. Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae), cultivated in Egypt

Moluccella laevis L. belonging to family Lamiaceae. It is an annual herb, flowering from March to April, bearing dense spikes of small 2-lipped white fragrant flowers with large, bell-shaped calyxes, known as ''Bells of Ireland'' or ''Shell flower''. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. By reviewing the literature few studies had been done on this plant, which encouraged us to investigate both macro and micro morphological examinations of M. laevis L. leaves, which could help the researchers in the identification and authentication of this plant leaves in both entire and powdered forms.