Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC (Shalaparni) is one among the Dashamoola group of drug and is extensively used in Ayurveda. The high demand of this drug makes it necessary to find and promote the usage of equally efficient alternate species. Desmodium velutinum (Willd.) DC is a medicinal plant which is used instead of D. gangeticum in southern parts of India. The study is an attempt to compare the roots of these two species Phyto-Pharmacognostically. The morphology, microscopy, physic-chemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical screening and HPTLC studies were done and compared. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium velutinum (Willd.) DC both from Fabaceae family is erect undershrubs peculiarly differing in the leaf shape and texture. Microscopically both showed similar characters with presence of calcium oxalate crystals, pitted vessel and starch grains in root powder. Physico-chemical, phytochemical evaluation and HPTLC studies of both samples were comparable with the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, tannins, alkaloids and glycosides in both samples. Hence on the basis of present phyto-pharmacognostical study it can be concluded that D. velutinum may be considered as a substitute of D. gangeticum.