Distribution of cystoliths in the leaves of Acanthaceae and its effect on leaf surface anatomy

Cystoliths are large outgrowths of cell wall material and calcium carbonate with a silicon-containing stalk found in the leaves, stems roots only handful plant families. Each cystolith is contained within called lithocyst. In lithocysts may be mesophyll or epidermis. A study by Koch et al. (2009) reported unique, indented features on surface superamphiphilic Ruellia devosiana ( Acanthaceae ) leaves which authors named ‘channel cells’. We report herein that such cells’ actually containing fully formed cystoliths portion lithocyst exposed at epidermis, forming leaf epidermal impression. Intact isolated from 28 species (five non-cystolith clade 23 clade) were examined using light scanning electron microscopy X-ray microanalysis. All members lithocysts, but not all showed impressions. four species, mesophyll, did contact surface, participate impression formation. The remaining 19 had epidermis possessed impressions differing sizes, depths morphologies.