Author:
Qjure
Book:
Qjurious
Type:
Info
Chapter:
1-242.00.02
Calcium oxalicum
Introduction
Calcium oxalates serve as a reserve of carbon dioxide.
Cacti use these as a reserve for photosynthesis during the day when they close their pores to avoid water loss.
Baobabs use this property to make their trunks more flame-resistant.
Raphides are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate as the monohydrate or calcium carbonate as aragonite, found in more than 200 families of plants. Both ends are needle-like but raphides tend to be more blunt at one end and more tapering at the other.
Alocasia (Baibing in NE India).
Arisaema (Cobra Lily).
Arum (Cuckoopint).
Brassaia (Umbrella Tree).
Caladium (Angel wings).
Caryota (Fishtail Palm).
Colocasia (Taro, Cocoyam, Eddoe).
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane).
Epipremnum (Devil's Ivy, Pothos).
Fuchsia (Fuchsia).
Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant).
Philodendron (Elephant Ears).
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily).
Spinacia (Spinach).
Tradescantia (Wandering Jew).
Many plants accumulate calcium oxalate crystals in response to surplus calcium, which is found throughout the natural environment. The crystals are produced in an intriguing variety of shapes. The crystal morphology depends on the taxonomic group of the plant. In one study of over 100 species, it was found that calcium oxalate accounted for 6. 3% of plant dry weight. Crystal morphology and the distribution of raphides (in roots or leaves or tubers etc. ) is similar in same taxa but different in others leaving possible opportunities for plant key characteristics and systematic identification; mucilage in raphide containing cells makes light microscopy difficult, though. Little is known about the mechanisms of sequestration or indeed the reason for accumulation of raphides but it is most likely as a defense mechanism against herbivory. It has also been suggested that in some cases raphides may help form plant skeletal structure. Raphides typically occur in parenchyma cells in aerial organs especially the leaves and are generally confined to the mesophyl. As the leaf area increases, so does the number of raphides, the process starting in even young leaves. The first indications that the cell will contain crystals is shown when the cells enlarge with a larger nucleus.
Raphides are found in specialized plant cells or crystal chambers called idioblasts. Electron micrographs have shown that raphide needle cystals are normally four sided or H-shaped (with a groove down both sides) or with a hexagonal cross section and some are barbed. Wattendorf (1976) suggested that all circular sectioned raphides, as visible in a light microscope, are probably hexagonal in cross section. Microscopy using polarized light shows bright opalescence with raphides.
Raphides can produce severe toxic reactions by facilitating the passage of toxin through the herbivore's skin when the tissue containing the raphides also contains toxins. The lethal dose to mice is around 15 mg/kg. Raphides seem to be a defense mechanism against plant predators, as they are likely to tear and harm the soft tissues of the throat or oesophagus of a plant predator chewing on the plant's leaves.
The venomous process is in two stages: mechanical pricking and injection of harmful protease. Typically ingestion of plants containing raphides, like those common in certain houseplants, can cause painful oedema, vesicle formation and dysphagia accompanied by painful stinging and burning to the mouth and throat with symptoms occurring for up to two weeks.
Airway assessment and management are of the highest priority, as are extensive irrigation and analgesics in eye exposure.
Raphides cannot normally be destroyed by boiling; that requires an acidic environment or chemical solvents like ether but heating raphide containing plant materials (like tubers) can fix the raphides into a dried starchy matrix so they are no longer mobile and thus less harmful. Some other plants store raphides in mucilaginous environments and also do not taste acrid.
Druse are groups of crystals of calcium oxalate, silicates or carbonates present in plants. Calcium oxalate (Ca(COO)2, CaOx) crystals are found in algae, angiosperms and Gymnospermae in a total of more than 215 families. These plants accumulate oxalate in the range of 3%-80% of their dry weight via biomineralization process in a variety of shapes.
Araceae have numerous druse, multi-crystal druse and needle shaped raphide crytals of CaOx present in the tissue.
Druse are also found in leaves and bud scales of Prunus, Roses, Allium, Vitus, Morus and Phaseolus.
The poisonous substances in druse are thought to be a prevention from herbivorage.
A number of biochemical pathways for calcium oxalate biomineralization in plants have been proposed. Among these are the cleavage of isocitrate, the hydrolysis of oxaloacetate, glycolate/glyoxylate oxidation, and/or oxidative cleavage of L-ascorbic acid.
The cleavage of ascorbic acid appears to be the most studied path.
The specific mechanism controlling this process is unclear but it has been suggested that a number of factors influence crystal shape and growth, such as proteins, polysaccharides and lipids or macromolecular membrane structures. Druse may also have some purpose in calcium regulation.
Raphide.
Idioblast.
Phytolith.
Protection against herbivory.