Structural and analytical studies of the silicified macrohairs from the lemma of the grass Phalaris canariensis L

Abstract
Silicified macrohairs from mature and immature lemmas of the grass Phalaris canariensis L. have been studied by scanning (s.e.m.) and transmission electron microscopy (t.e.m.) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (e.d.X.a.) at various times after emergence of the inflorescence. Within the macrohairs a variety of morphologies of silica particles was observed. E.d.X.a. revealed the time-dependent concentrations in the macrohairs of the elements K, Cl, P, and S, in addition to Si. Much lower levels of these elements were found in highly silicified mature macrohairs than in the immature macrohairs. It is proposed that the hairs are silicified under strict cellular control.

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