Search

Some species of the genus Passiflora have leaf morphological adaptations that grow to influence the development of the plant in producing areas. Hence, the objective of this work is to quantify and characterize the leaf anatomy of passion fruit species distributed in the South American region, which can become an important strategy in the selection of species more adapted to the environment where they will be grown. This work evaluates the abaxial and adaxial cuticle thickness (ABCT and ADCT), abaxial and adaxial epidermis thickness (ABET and ADET), xylem diameter (XD), phloem diameter (PD), and thickness of the palisade parenchyma (TPP), of the species Passiflora quadrangularis L., Passiflora foetida L., Passiflora edulis Sims, Passiflora gibertii N.E Brown, Passiflora coccinea Aubl, Passiflora alata Curtis, Passiflora tenuifila Killip, Passiflora caerulea L., and Passiflora cincinnata Mast. Passion fruit species present differences in leaf anatomy, which may influence the plant's development. The species Passiflora quadrangularis L. showed a greater thickness of cuticles, epidermis, conducting vessels, and palisade parenchyma. The species Passiflora edulis has higher density and stomatal functionality. All Passiflora species formed druses on their leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the perceptions and attitudes towards the position of the State of Israel and Israeli Druze regarding the provision of aid to Druze in Syria during the civil war in Syria that took place Between the years 2011 and 2017. The main goal of this article is to examine the perceptions and attitudes of senior officials in the Druze community and in Israel regarding the aid provided to Druze in Syria and its impact on the national and Druze identity among the Druze population in Israel. Keywords: Druze, civil war, Israel, Syria., Introduction This article is part of a Ph.D. dissertation on the topic of conflict between loyalties: the relationship between Druze in Israel and Druze in Syria during the civil war [...]

Like the rest of Arab society, the Druze community in Israel has undergone significant changes since the establishment of the State. One of the most prominent of these is the substantial rise in the number of educated women. Yet despite modernization and their high levels of education and entrance into the job market, Druze women have struggled to play a leading role in politics. This situation contrasts sharply with that of their counterparts in Lebanon, who have consistently gained pre-eminence within the community's political and public leadership. This article suggests that while Druze religious doctrine encourages 'female empowerment,' Druze women in Israel, have never been able to fulfil their potential in practical terms of political involvement. The tradition of rulership among Druze elite families in Lebanon and the separation between religious and political authority account for the high level of political involvement among Druze women in Lebanon vs. their limited participation in Israel. Keywords: Israeli Druze community, Druze women, Israel, Israeli women, Lebanon Druze community, Education., INTRODUCTION DESPITE ITS CONSERVATISM, THE DRUZE COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL IS NO longer traditional, having been heavily influenced by the processes of modernization. In recent decades, the community has undergone significant [...]

Syzygium travancoricum Gamble popularly known as "Kulavettimaram" or "Kulirmaavu" is a least explored endemic endangered taxa of Southern Western Ghats, Kerala. The species is often misidentified due to its close resemblance with allied species and no other studies have been reported on the anatomical and histochemical characters of this species. This article aims to evaluate the anatomical and histochemical characteristics of various vegetative parts of S. travancoricum. Anatomical and histochemical characters of bark, stem, and leaf were analyzed using standard microscopic and histochemical procedures. S. travancoricum possessed distinct anatomical characters such as, paracytic stomata, arc shaped midrib vasculature, continuous sclerenchymatous sheath around the midrib vascular region, single layer of adaxial palisade layer, presence of druses, and quadrangular cross section contour of stem which could be combined with additional morphological and phytochemical characteristics, relevant for species identification. The bark showed the presence of lignified cells, isolated groups of fibers and sclereids, starch depositions and druses. Stem has quadrangular outline with well‐defined periderm. The petiole and the leaf blade have abundance of oil glands and druses with paracytic stomata. The anatomical and histochemical characterization are potential tools for the delineation of confusing taxa and provide substantial evidence to their quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Symplocaceae family comprises 406 species, all of which are classified within a single genus, Symplocos Jacq., which is distributed across multiple continents. In Brazil, this genus is predominantly found in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado regions and is characterized by the presence of secondary metabolites, such as iridoids, terpenoids, and saponins with biological activities. Moreover, the literature research has unveiled the potential of this genus for antimicrobial, antitumor, and anti-HIV applications. This research conducted morphoanatomical, histochemical studies using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the leaves and stems of Symplocos tetrandra (Mart.) Mart. Cross-sections and paradermal were performed. The investigation revealed the presence of prismatic calcium oxalate crystal in petiole and druses calcium oxalate crystals, in petiole and leaf blade. Paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface, lignified pith in the stem, which was detected with the phloroglucinol staining. Oil bodies, uniseriate epidermis, and a thin lipidic cuticle were confirmed with Sudan III. These findings suggest potential anatomical markers for taxonomic classification of the species. The data obtained in this study contributes for species identification, and the presence of metabolites can guide future pharmacological investigation with S. tetrandra., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Passiflora organensis is a small herbaceous vine with characteristic morphological variations throughout its development. The plant bears button‐shaped extrafloral nectaries exclusively in adult leaves. Extrafloral nectaries are structures that secrete nectar and play an important role in plant–animal interactions as a strategy for protecting plants against herbivory. In this work, we performed anatomical and ultrastructural studies to characterize P. organensis extrafloral nectaries during their secretory phase. We showed extrafloral nectaries in Passiflora organensis are composed of three distinct regions: nectary epidermis, nectariferous parenchyma, and subnectariferous parenchyma. Our data suggests that all nectary regions constitute a functional unit involved in nectar production and release. The high metabolic activity in the nectary cells is characterized by the juxtaposition of organelles such as mitochondria and plastids together plasmalemma. In addition, calcium oxalate crystals are frequently associated to the nectaries. An increasing concentration of calcium during leaf development and nectary differentiation was observed, corresponding to the calcium deposition as calcium oxalate crystals. This is the first description of extrafloral nectaries in Passiflora organensis that is a promising tropical model species for several studies. Research Highlights: The anatomical and ultrastructural characteristics and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the nectary tissue suggest novel strategies against herbivory in the genus Passiflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological, anatomical and histological studies of three Icacina species (I. mannii Oliv., I. oliviformis (Poir.) J. Raynal, and I. trichantha A. (Juss)) were carried out by visual observation and microscopy. The species occur predominantly in Nigeria, West Africa. They exhibited anatomical variation in the midrib vascular bundle arrangement, trichome types and abundance, stomatal types, lamina thickness, stomatal index, and fruit morphology, all regarded as reliable diagnostic characters. Only I. oliviformis manifested druses and galls. The study revealed some morphological and anatomical similarities, such as leaf arrangement, nonglandular trichomes, anomocytic and tetracytic stomata, epidermis cell shape, and presence of tannin and starch grains in the corms of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals has been widely reported in the plant kingdom. These structures play a central role in various physiological functions, including calcium regulation, metal detoxification, and photosynthesis. However, precise knowledge about their possible roles and functions in plants is still limited. Therefore, the present work aims to study the ecotypic variability of Colobanthus quitensis, an extremophile species, concerning CaOx crystal accumulation. The CaOx crystals were studied in leaves of C. quitensis collected from different provenances within a latitudinal gradient (From Andes mountains in central Chile to Antarctica) and grown under common garden conditions. Polarized light microscopy, digital image analysis, and electron microscopy were used to characterize CaOx crystals. The presence of CaOx crystals was confirmed in the four provenances of C. quitensis, with significant differences in the accumulation among them. The Andean populations presented the highest accumulation of crystals and the Antarctic population the lowest. Electron microscopy showed that CaOx crystals in C. quitensis are classified as druses based on their morphology. The differences found could be linked to processes of ecotypic differentiation and plant adaptation to harsh environments.

Background and aims: Heterophyllaea pustulata (Rubiaceae) grows in northwestern Argentina. It has livestock importance because it produces photosensitization in the cattle that consume it. That is why it is proposed to study the foliar and caulinar morpho-anatomy of the species in order to determine structural characters that facilitate the identification of the plant. M&M: Leaves and stems of young adult plants and seedlings obtained through in vitro cultures were taken and studied by conventional histological techniques. Images obtained with optical and scanning electron microscopy are presented. Results: The results indicate that the studied species have morphological and anatomical characters similar to other species of Rubiaceae, although it presents others that were not previously described, such as the structure of the epidermis with striated cuticle and the anatomy of the stem. Conclusions: It is found that the diagnostic characters that facilitate the identification of the plant are: microdenticulated margin of the lamina, epidermis with striated cuticle in leaves and young stems, simple eglandular trichomes, mesophyll with raphides and druses, in addition to the lysigenous cavities in all the organs of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Hautarzt is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The epidermal and anatomical characteristics of Physalis angulata L. and Physalis micrantha L. (Solanaceae) are analyzed in this study to determine the taxonomic features of these species. The specimens were peeled or sectioned, stained with safranin O and alcian blue, mounted on slide, and micro-photographed with Optika B-1000 FL LED. The plants are amphistomatic and dorsiventral with anisotricytic, isotricytic, tetracytic, anisocytic, anomocytic and contiguous stomata. P. micrantha has calcium oxalate crystals of different forms (prism, rod, cylindrical, and star-shaped or druses), and osteosclereide, while P. angulata has only druses and macroscleried occurring in parts of the plants. The similarities in the anatomical features among these species suggest an interspecific relationship between the species while the differences confirm these species as distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many plant species, carbon-calcium inclusion (calcium oxalate crystals or cystoliths containing calcium carbonate) formation is a fundamental part of their physiology even necessary for normal growth and development. Despite the long-standing studies on carbon-calcium inclusions, the alterations in their properties during leaf development and their possible association with the maturation of the photosynthetic machinery have not been previously examined. In order to acquire more insights into this subject, we examined three of the most common species bearing abundant inclusions of different types, i.e., Amaranthus hybridus, Vitis vinifera, and Parietaria judaica. Results of our study showed that, irrespective of species and type of inclusion, similar patterns in the alterations of their properties are observed during leaf maturation, except for some differences in cell differentiation and distribution between raphides and druses in Vitis vinifera. As expected, inclusion formation has taken place at very early developmental stages and maximum density was observed in very young leaves. Inclusion properties are changing in a coordinated way with leaf area and these modifications are compatible with the concept that each idioblast or lithocyst "services" a finite number/area of adjacent cells. This tight coordination is also evident at the whole leaf level. Moreover, we observed an association of the properties of carbon-calcium inclusions and gas exchange, suggesting a possible implication of these structures in photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report for the first time the presence of cluster crystals of calcium oxalate within the glandular trichomes and oil bodies in the mesophyll for Baccharis species. Moreover, the comparative leaf anatomy and micro‐morphology of six species of Baccharis, namely B. illinita, B. microdonta, B. pauciflosculosa, B. punctulata, B. reticularioides, and B. sphenophylla is investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The studied species exhibited differences in their leaf anatomical features such as the morphology of the cuticle, type and occurrence of the stomata, presence or absence of glandular trichomes, shape of the flagelliform trichomes, and the arrangement of the mesophyll tissues. These differences can be helpful in the species identification and classification and could represent informative characters for the reconstruction of the evolution of the genus. Presence of cluster crystals within glandular trichomes are observed and reported here for the first time for Baccharis (Asteraceae). Cluster crystals (druses) of calcium oxalate are observed and reported here for the first time for the genus. Oil bodies were observed in the mesophyll cells in the present study forming a new report for the genus as well. The results of the anatomical studies of six species are compared. Of the six species analyzed, B. punctulata is found to be distinct in a number of anatomical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological characteristics of calciphytoliths and description of their macro and micropattern in leaves of halo-xerophytic species of the Salitral de la Vidriera, Argentina, were carried out. Additionally, a multivariate analysis was conducted to identify any relation between the form and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals and soil characteristics. Druses and polyhedral crystals were found. Among the species with druses five macropatterns were described while in the species with polyhedral crystals, only two. Regarding micropattern, crystals were distributed in different cells (chlorenchyma, idioblasts, bundle sheats, aqueous tissue). Species with druses were found in areas with different salinity and concentration of calcium while the polyhedral crystals were presented only in species inhabiting soils of lower salinity and ower concentration of calcium. The species inhabiting the area of lower salinity and concentration of calcium, had uniform distribution of crystals in their leaves; under other soil conditions the species presented variations in acropetal o centripetal direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Window-leaved Peperomia taxa (WPs) occur in the Peruvian Andes from near sea level to high altitudes and display curled leaves that are generally exposed to high irradiance and periodic drought, far different from the typically uncurled humid-forest, often-shaded Peperomia taxa. Even though representatives of the latter taxa, as well as other members of the Piperales, have been observed for the presence (type) and location (macropattern) of leaf crystals in previous studies, this special group of WP taxa has missed scrutiny. It was important to determine whether the WP taxa contained the same types of crystals in the same tissue locations and, if not, what any differences could be that are related to their anatomy, environment, and physiology. Methodology. Living leaves of 35 available accessions from the 42 currently recognized taxa of WPs were chemically fixed, some cleared and/or vibratome sectioned or fractured to observe the internal leaf tissues for the presence of crystals composed of calcium oxalate with polarizing microscopy and SEM. Pivotal results. WPs variably displayed three types of crystals, i.e., druses, prisms, and crystal sand, in the three major leaf tissues (multiple epidermis/hydrenchyma and palisade and spongy parenchymas). The WPs are distinctly different from uncurled humid-forest, often-shaded Peperomia taxa by often having prisms and crystal sand in their hydrenchyma and consistently having crystal sand in their spongy parenchyma. These results are additional synapomorphies for WPs belonging to the distinct subgenus Fenestratae within the genus Peperomia. Conclusions. The partial or complete enclosing of the hydrenchyma by leaf curling and the resulting increased exposure of the abaxial leaf surface, with the subtending spongy parenchyma containing primarily crystal sand, suggests that these adaptations may provide protection for the primary internal photosynthetic tissue (palisade parenchyma) against photoinhibition by filtering and dispersing the solar irradiance and moderating the internal leaf temperature, two critical conditions allowing these taxa to live in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Com grande distribuição no Brasil e ocorrência principalmente no cerrado, caatinga e floresta atlântica, Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum, que está inclusa em um dos menores gêneros de Myrtaceae, é popularmente conhecida como craveiro-do-mato, louro-cravo ou chá-de-bugre. Trata-se de uma espécie nativa e suas folhas são usadas na culinária substituindo o cravo-da-índia (Syzygium aromaticum) devido ao aroma semelhante. O estudo tem o objetivo de caracterizar anatomicamente a folha dessa espécie. Para a confecção do laminário, amostras da região mediana da folha e do pecíolo foram seccionadas em micrótomo de rotação e coradas com azul de toluidina a 1%. Em vista frontal, a epiderme é glabra na face adaxial e pilosa na face abaxial, com tricomas unicelulares. A folha é hipoestomática e os complexos estomáticos são anomocíticos. Em secção transversal, a epiderme é uniestratificada revestida por cutícula espessa e camada subepidérmica formada por 1-2 estratos celulares. O mesofilo é dorsiventral e bainha esclerenquimática envolve o feixe vascular bicolateral. Na folha e no pecíolo observam-se colênquima lacunar, flanges cuticulares, canais secretores e idioblastos contendo drusas e monocristais. Concluise que a espécie possui características freqüentes para Myrtaceae, com exceção da camada subepidérmica e flanges cuticulares, e que os resultados obtidos contribuem com novas informações que podem subsidiar estudos futuros no que se refere à identificação e delimitação do táxon.Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum is a native species from Brazil and occurs mainly in cerrado, caatinga and Atlantic rainforest vegetation. It is commonly known as "craveiro-do-mato", "louro-cravo" or "chá-de-bugre". It is a tree species whose leaves are used for cooking; they smell and taste like cloves (Syzygium aromaticum). This study describes the leaf anatomy of the species. The leaves were sliced with a microtome, stained with 1% toluidine blue and prepared on slides. The histological sections were from the medium section, between the edge and the midrib of the leaves The lower leaf epidermis has anomocytic stomata complexes and non-glandular coats. The epidermis is unicellular; its cells are covered by a thick cuticle. The mesophyll is dorsiventral. The bicollateral vascular bundles are sheathed. Idioblasts with druses, monocrystals and lisigenous secretory canals were found along the entire leaf blade. We conclude that leaf anatomy provides new information on the species, with structures common in leaves of Myrtaceae.

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-1913.2009.01311.x Byline: Yusri Hazran (1) Author Affiliation: (1)Harvard University

• The occurrence of silica bodies in the hypodermis of cacti are diagnostic for all the species of Echinocactus , and the exclusion of E. grusonii of this genus is supported by the lack of silica bodies as well as the occurrence of calcium oxalate druses. • Six biomineral habits were found in the Cacteae species studies, being spherulites and prisms the most common. • Extracellular sandstones occur in six species of Mammillaria , commonly in the outer periclinal wall of the epidermis. • For the first time the structure of the biominerals of seven genera (Cumarinia, Echinomastus, Escobaria, Obregonia, Sclerocactus , Stenocactus) of Cacteae are characterized. Biominerals precipitate by biological activity and are found in various organisms. In the Cactaceae family, biominerals have been described for numerous genera and species and their contribution to systematics has recently been demonstrated. The aims of this study are to characterize the biominerals in the stem of members of Cacteae by describing their shape, position and mineral composition. Twenty-eight genera and 149 species of Cacteae were studied by bright-field and polarized microscopy. The composition of biominerals was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in 34 species representing the Cacteae clades. The biominerals of seven genera out of 28 are described for the first time. Only six species of Mammillaria have extracellular biominerals. Sixteen genera and 91 species possess intracellular biominerals in hypodermis, where species of Echinocactus and Ferocactus showed silica bodies. Spherulites, prisms and druses are present in 28 genera, and are distributed in the cortex of 141 species and in the pith of 94 species. Statistical analysis revealed differences between genera for the maximum length of biominerals in the hypodermis and cortex. Notably, Kadenicarpus possesses the smallest biominerals in the cortex and pith (< 35 µm in mean) and the largest mean in the pith for Astrophytum (212 µm). In the Cacteae, calcium oxalates were the most predominant biominerals. Other elements such as magnesium, manganese, and aluminum were also identified. Lophophora is characterized by crystalline aggregates in the cortex of both species with calcium oxalate and traces of silicon and iron, which are not found in other crystalline aggregates of other taxa. We detected a unique combination of biominerals that allowed for us to distinguish the species of some genera, such as Astrophytum and Echinocactus. In conclusion, the occurrence, structure and size of biominerals provide valuable information for systematics at the generic level in Cacteae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Electronic Turkish Studies is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The major function of calcium oxalate crystals in plants implies the adjustment of calcium (Ca) metabolism and the protection against herbivorous animals. The main types of crystals considered to play a protective role are the raphides, their shape being essential in this sense. Recent studies suggest that the crystals' aspect depends of the species, their shape and dimensions being characteristic. The types of Vitis studied in this paper make themselves noticed due to the morphological variety of the crystals, their structure in vegetative organs or in the specialized tissues of the same organ. From the five types of crystals mentioned in the specialized literature, three of them were noticed: raphides, druses and prismatic crystals. The differences noticed between the varieties can suggest they had been influenced by the characteristics of the soil, the environmental conditions and even by some genetic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: This is the first large-scale study comparing leaf crystal macropatterns of the species-rich sister genera Piper and Peperomia . It focuses on identifying types of calcium oxalate crystals and their macropatterns in leaves of both genera. The Piper results are placed in a phylogenetic context to show evolutionary patterns. This information will expand knowledge about crystals and provide specific examples to help study their form and function. One example is the first-time observation of Piper crystal sand tumbling in chlorenchyma vacuoles. * Methods: Herbarium and fresh leaves were cleared of cytoplasmic content and examined with polarizing microscopy to identify types of crystals and their macropatterns. Selected hydrated herbarium and fresh leaf punches were processed for scanning electron microscopy and x-ray elemental analysis. Vibratome sections of living Piper and Peperomia leaves were observed for anatomical features and crystal movement. * Key results: Both genera have different leaf anatomies. Piper displays four crystal types in chlorenchyma--crystal sand, raphides, styloids, and druses, whereas Peperomia displays three types--druses, raphides, and prisms. Because of different leaf anatomies and crystal types between the genera, macropatterns are completely different. Crystal macropattern evolution in both is characterized by increasing complexity, and both may use their crystals for light gathering and reflection for efficient photosynthesis under low-intensity light environments. * Conclusions: Both genera have different leaf anatomies, types of crystals and crystal macropatterns. Based on Piper crystals associated with photosynthetic tissues and low-intensity light, further study of their function and association with surrounding chloroplasts is warranted, especially active crystal movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Leaves of succulent Peperomia obtusifolia (Piperaceae), and its related species, contain a large multilayered hypodermis (epidermis) subtended by a very small single-layered photosynthetic palisade parenchyma, the latter containing spherical aggregates of crystals called druses. Each druse is in a central vacuole surrounded by chloroplasts. All hypodermal cell walls are thin, except for thick lowermost periclinal walls associated with the upper periclinal walls of the subtending palisade cells. These thick walls display ‘quilted’ impressions (mounds) formed by many subtending palisade cells. Conspicuous depressions occur in most mounds, and each depression contains what appear to be many plasmodesmata. These depressions are opposite similar regions in adjacent thin palisade periclinal walls, and they can be considered special pit fields that represent thin translucent regions (‘windows’ or ‘skylights’). Druses in the vacuoles of palisade cells occur below these pit field regions and are surrounded by conspicuous cytoplasmic chloroplasts with massive grana oriented perpendicular to the crystals, probably providing for an efficient photosynthetic system under low-intensity light. Methods Leaf clearings and fractures, light microscopy and crossed polarizers, general and histochemical staining, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine these structures. Key Results Druses in the vacuoles of palisade cells occur below the thin pit field regions in the wall interface, suggesting an interesting physical relationship that could provide a pathway for light waves, filtered through the multiple hypodermis. The light waves pass into the palisade cells and are collected and dispersed by the druses to surrounding chloroplasts with large grana. Conclusions These results imply an intriguing possible efficient photosynthetic adaptation for species growing in low-light environments, and provide an opportunity for future research on how evolution through environmental adaptation aids plants containing crystals associated with photosynthetic tissues to exist under low-light intensity and with other stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Formation of calcium oxalate crystals is common in the plant kingdom, but biogenic formation of calcium sulfate crystals in plants is rare. We investigated the morphologies and elemental compositions of crystals found in phyllodes and branchlets of Acacia robeorum, a desert shrub of north-western Australia. Methods Morphologies of crystals in phyllodes and branchlets of A. robeorum were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental compositions of the crystals were identified by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Distributional patterns of the crystals were studied using optical microscopy together with SEM. Key Results According to the elemental compositions, the crystals were classified into three groups: (1) calcium oxalate; (2) calcium sulfate, which is a possible mixture of calcium sulfate and calcium oxalate with calcium sulfate being the major component; and (3) calcium sulfate · magnesium oxalate, presumably mixtures of calcium sulfate, calcium oxalate, magnesium oxalate and silica. The crystals were of various morphologies, including prisms, raphides, styloids, druses, crystal sand, spheres and clusters. Both calcium oxalate and calcium sulfate crystals were observed in almost all tissues, including mesophyll, parenchyma, sclerenchyma (fibre cells), pith, pith ray and cortex; calcium sulfate · magnesium oxalate crystals were only found in mesophyll and parenchyma cells in phyllodes. Conclusions The formation of most crystals was biologically induced, as confirmed by studying the crystals formed in the phyllodes from seedlings grown in a glasshouse. The crystals may have functions in removing excess calcium, magnesium and sulfur, protecting the plants against herbivory, and detoxifying aluminium and heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Premise of the study: This basic study may help plant biologists better understand the variety and occurrence of crystal forms and their function in plants. Literature records hold four examples of two different crystal types in one cell. One, unillustrated report mentions druses and crystal sand from one species of tribe Naucleeae (Rubiaceae) and "occasional occurrences" in additional unnamed taxa. Here, we surveyed Naucleeae (103 of 179 species, 23 of 24 genera, all seven subtribes) for "duplex idioblast" distribution for systematic significance and describe examples of this rare feature. • Methods: Cleared, dehydrated, herbarium leaves were mounted unstained in resin. Slides were examined with polarization optics for crystal types and locations, and representative areas were electronically digitized. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray analysis verified calcium oxalate composition. • Key results: Idioblast configurations occur as crystal sand (CS) only (most common, 92 spp.) to CS plus one embedded &use (55 spp.), to CS plus 2-3 druses (6 spp.), to one druse with scanty surrounding CS (a few spp.), to a "naked" druse (16 spp.). Trends occur in some subtribes. A previously undescribed conspicuous, spheroidal calcium oxalate aggregate "concretion" idioblast occurs in only four species of Mitragyna (Mitragynineae). Idioblasts are most common along vascular bundles and in mesophyll, less so only along vascular bundles, and least common only in mesophyll. Tiny "secondary" crystals are common in ordinary mesophyll cells. • Conclusions: Crystal types appear to be systematic features in Naucleeae. Duplex idioblasts (CS and druses) and aggregate concretions are a demonstration that much is yet to be discovered about crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oleaceae leaves surveyed from herbarium specimens of 240 species from 23 genera were rehydrated, bleached, processed into xylol, mounted unstained, and viewed microscopically between crossed polarizers. Occurrence of five crystal types and two variants (tiny acicular crystals and sphaerites) within one family is unusual. Number of crystal types within a single species was one (108 spp.), two (53 spp.), three (51 spp.), four (15 spp.), and five (6 spp.). Seven species lacked crystals. The tiny acicular crystal variant was most common (167 spp.), followed by prisms (67 spp.), raphides (65 spp.), druses (61 spp.), sphaerites variant (50 spp.), styloids (36 spp.), and crystal sand (21 spp.). Epidermal crystals were common (155 spp.), with epidermal crystals clustering at base of trichomes in 21 species. Jasminum was exceptional in having mostly druses and almost no crystals around vascular bundles. Most Oleaceae crystals are tiny, usually about 5 μm in length, except for larger styloids and raphides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaves of Peperomia species vary in texture, shape, succulence, lamina size, thickness, coloration, and venation. Each leaf contains only calcium oxalate druses in palisade cells, druses in palisade and raphides in spongy parenchyma, or druses in palisade and prisms in spongy parenchyma. Collectively, these variations create distinct crystal macropatterns. Leaves from 45 species were studied to identify their macropatterns and to compare the macropatterns with molecular data. Microscopic data showed two major crystal macropatterns and five variations of them. All but one species displayed either a single druse in most palisade cells forming one or more uniform crystal layers (81.8%, uniform) or a single druse per cell in palisade cells only above veins forming a reticulate pattern (18.2%, reticulate). Most species (77.3%) did not display any crystals in spongy parenchyma; however, some clades showed spongy parenchyma raphide bundles while others had prisms. Several clades displayed more than one macropattern. Based only on crystal macropatterns, data did not demonstrate a specific phylogenetic trend and failed as synapomorphies for most of the clades. However, crystal macropattern evolution in Peperomia is generally characterized by an increasing complexity of the distribution of druses, raphides, and prisms, with few reversals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]