IJRAP International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy 2277-4343 Moksha Publishing House 10.7897/2277-4343.15246 MICRO-MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL STANDARDISATION OF OPUNTIA ELATIOR MILL. CLADODE: AN UNEXPLORED TRADITIONAL PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS PLANT FROM MAHARASHTRA Anilkumar U. Tatiya * Megha Pawar Mohan Kalaskar Sanjay Surana 11 -0001 87 98 Opuntia elatior Mill. (Cactaceae) is a significant medicinal herb In Maharashtra. In Ayurveda, it is referred to as Nagphani, and in English, prickly pear. Its fruits and cladode have long been used to remedy wounds, boils, coughs, fever, inflammation, and asthma. Despite its significant therapeutic potential, there isn__ampersandsign#39;t much information about__ampersandsignnbsp;standardised__ampersandsignnbsp;criteria for the species. Consequently, the current project was started to produce a comprehensive report on Opuntia elatior Mill__ampersandsign#39;s quality control and standardisation criteria. The current study aimed to highlight this traditional herbal crude, which would make it easier to identify fresh and dried samples using macro, microscopic, fluorescence, and physicochemical parameters in accordance with WHO guidelines. The present study__ampersandsign#39;s compilation of botanical characteristics can serve as a benchmark for the herbal medicine industry in identifying adulterations in market samples utilised for manufacturing different herbal remedies. These studies will provide reference information for accurately classifying Opuntia elatior Mill among closely related species within the same genus and family. They will also aid in identifying adulteration in market samples utilised to produce a range of herbal remedies. Cactaceae Micro-Morphology Nagphani Opuntia Elatior Mill. Cladode Spines And Glochids