Question

The family of Arjuna bark is

• A. Combretaceae
• B. Gnetaceae
• C. Rutacea
• D. Solanacea

Hint:

The Arjuna tree, known for its medicinal uses, belongs to the Combretaceae family.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Arjuna bark comes from Terminalia arjuna, and the genus Terminalia (which also includes T. chebula/haritaki and T. bellerica/bibhitaki, the other two myrobalans) is classified under the family Combretaceae. Gnetaceae, Rutaceae, and Solanaceae are unrelated families with no connection to Terminalia. So the answer is Combretaceae.

Answer 2

Another way to reach this is through the pharmacognostic use and characteristic features of the bark drug itself.

1. Combretaceae: Arjuna bark is a well-known cardiotonic drug used in Ayurveda for heart conditions, and this cardioprotective use is shared by other Combretaceae barks and fruits from related Terminalia species.
2. Gnetaceae: Plants in this family are not associated with bark drugs of this kind or with any cardiotonic use in classical medicine.
3. Rutaceae: This family's medicinal parts are typically the fruit peel or leaf (rich in volatile oils), not a bark drug used for cardiac support.
4. Solanaceae: This family is known instead for its alkaloid-rich leaves and fruits (like belladonna, datura), not bark drugs, and has no cardiotonic tradition tied to it.

The cardiotonic bark-drug profile of Arjuna fits it firmly within Combretaceae, alongside its Terminalia relatives.

Therefore, the correct answer is Combretaceae.