Epidermal Silica Cells in the Cyperaceae

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Abstract
Epidermal silica cells have been studied in 60 species belonging to 13 genera of Indian Cyperaceae with special reference to Eriophorum comosum. They are present in the epidermis of leaf, stem, scale leaf, and also rhizome of some species, being more common in older parts. They are invariably located in regions outside the subepidermal fiber strands and are characterized by conical silicified processes on their inner tangential walls. Directly below the process the wall is thickened in the form of a pad, while the outer tangential wall is comparatively thin and raised. A silicified process consists of a hollow hat-shaped body (pointed at the top) of silica fitted on a lignified conical projection (with a non-lignified pad) of the cell wall. The development of silicified processes seems to be correlated with the thickening and lignification of the subepidermal fibers. A conical organic base is formed first, then silica is deposited in layers on this. The name "cyperaceous type" has been proposed for these epidermal silica cells. Their diagnostic value is discussed, and the points in which they differ from silica cells of the gramineae are brought out.

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