Abstract
Particulate opaline silica accounted for 0.01 to 3.79 percent of the dry weight of leaves from 36 deciduous angiosperm tree and shrub species. Silicification was noted in all cellular elements of the leaves of some species, and the pattern of silica deposition varied widely between taxa. Morphological variations were minimal among silica particles from mesophyll cells, stomata, vascular elements, crystalloids, and bundle sheath parenchyma. Siliceous epidermal cells, epidermal hairs, and hair bases exhibited sufficient variation to warrant further study toward the development of opal phytolith groupings of different taxonomic order. Morphological groupings appear possible in some cases, while separations to families, genera, or species appear possible in other cases. Particulate opaline silica accounted for 0.01 to 3.79 percent of the dry weight of leaves from 36 deciduous angiosperm tree and shrub species. Silicification was noted in all cellular elements of the leaves of some species, and the pattern of silica deposition varied widely between taxa. Morphological variations were minimal among silica particles from mesophyll cells, stomata, vascular elements, crystalloids, and bundle sheath parenchyma. Siliceous epidermal cells, epidermal hairs, and hair bases exhibited sufficient variation to warrant further study toward the development of opal phytolith groupings of different taxonomic order. Morphological groupings appear possible in some cases, while separations to families, genera, or species appear possible in other cases. © Williams & Wilkins 1973. All Rights Reserved.