phytolith
Sign in to savePhytoliths (from Greek, "plant stone") are rigid, microscopic mineral deposits found in some plant tissues, often persisting after the decay of the plant. Although some use "phytolith" to refer to all mineral secretions by plants, it more commonly refers to siliceous plant remains. Phytoliths come in varying shapes and sizes. The plants which exhibit them take up dissolved silica from the groundwater, whereupon it is deposited within different intracellular and extracellular structures of the plant.
Article
21 sectionsContents
- Functions
- History of phytolith research
- Development in plants
- Chemical and physical characteristics
- Single cell and conjoined phytoliths
- Pathogenic stress on phytolith formation
- Patterns of phytolith production
- Archaeology
- Sampling strategies
- Laboratory analysis
- Burned phytoliths
- Contribution to archaeobotanical knowledge
- Tracing the history of plant-human interactions
- Problems with phytolith analysis of remains
- Palaeontology and paleoenvironmental reconstructions
- Gallery
- Carbon sequestration
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
Phytoliths (from Greek, "plant stone") are rigid, microscopic mineral deposits found in some plant tissues, often persisting after the decay of the plant. Although some use "phytolith" to refer to all mineral secretions by plants, it more commonly refers to siliceous plant remains. Phytoliths come in varying shapes and sizes. The plants which exhibit them take up dissolved silica from the groundwater, whereupon it is deposited within different intracellular and extracellular structures of the plant.
The silica is absorbed in the form of monosilicic acid (Si(OH)4), and is carried by the plant's vascular system to the cell walls, cell lumen, and intercellular spaces. Depending on the plant taxa and soil condition, absorbed silica can range from 0.1% to 10% of the plant's total dry weight. When deposited, the silica replicates the structure of the cells, providing structural support to the plant. Phytoliths strengthen the plant against abiotic stressors such as salt runoff, metal toxicity, and extreme temperatures. Phytoliths can also protect the plant against biotic threats such as insects and fungal diseases.