Raphides

Raphides

Raphides are needle-shaped crystals of calcium carbonate or calcium oxalate found in specialized plant cells called idioblasts. It is believed that the raphides are a defense mechanism against plant predators, as they are likely to tear the soft tissues of the throat or esophagus of a plant predator chewing on the plant's leaves.

ee also

*Plant defense against herbivory


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  • Raphides — Raph i*des (r[a^]f [i^]*d[=e]z), n. pl. [F. raphide.] (Bot.) See {Rhaphides}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • raphides — Rhaphides Rhaph i*des, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ???, ???, a needle, F. raphides.] (Bot.) Minute transparent, often needle shaped, crystals found in the tissues of plants. [Written also {raphides}.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Raphidés — Raphidae Raphidés …   Wikipédia en Français

  • raphides — /raf i deez /, n.pl. Bot. acicular crystals, usually composed of calcium oxalate, that occur in bundles in the cells of many plants. [1835 45; < NL < Gk rhaphídes, pl. of RHAPHÍS needle] * * * …   Universalium

  • raphides — raph•i•des [[t]ˈræf ɪˌdiz[/t]] n. pl. bot needle shaped crystals, usu. composed of calcium oxalate, that occur in bundles in the cells of many plants • Etymology: 1835–45; < NL < Gk rhaphídes, pl. of rhaphís needle …   From formal English to slang

  • raphides — /ˈræfədiz/ (say rafuhdeez) plural noun acicular crystals, usually composed of calcium oxalate, which occur in bundles in the cells of many plants. {New Latin (plural), from Greek: needles} …  

  • raphides — /raf i deez /, n.pl. Bot. acicular crystals, usually composed of calcium oxalate, that occur in bundles in the cells of many plants. [1835 45; < NL < Gk rhaphídes, pl. of RHAPHÍS needle] …   Useful english dictionary

  • RUBIALES — L’ordre des Rubiales comprend six familles de plantes (570 genres et environ 7 000 espèces) des régions chaudes ou tempérées. Les caféiers, les quinquinas, la garance sont les plus connus. Ce sont des Angiospermes dicotylédones et gamopétales,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Araceae — Arum family Temporal range: 70–0 Ma …   Wikipedia

  • Oxalate — The structure of the oxalate anion A ball and stick model of oxal …   Wikipedia

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