Lithocyst. Light micrograph of a section through the surface of a fig leaf Ficus sp. , showing a specialised cell known as a lithocyst. The lumen of t

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Lithocyst. Light micrograph of a section through the surface of a fig leaf Ficus sp. , showing a specialised cell known as a lithocyst. The lumen of the cell contains an outgrowth of the cell wall on which is deposited a concretion of calcium carbonate crystal (lime). The mass of calcium carbonate is itself known as a cystolith. Litho- cysts occur in relatively few plant species; the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is one of the most common examples. The function of these specialised cells is unknown. Magnification: x200 at 35mm size.

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Size: 3573px × 2480px
Photo credit: © CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: botany, calcium, carbonate, cell, cystolith, ficus, fig, leaf, leaves, light, lithocyst, micrograph, nature, plant, plants, sp.