Cystolite

Cystolite in a leaf cross-section of Ficus elastica

A cystolite or cystolite (Greek kystis , pouch, lithos , stone) is a thickening of a plant cell wall in the form of a more or less pedicled body that contains heavy deposits of calcium carbonate . These small granules of calcium carbonate can take different forms. They reach diameters of 30 to 70 μm.

Cystoliths are, for example nettles as the stinging nettles ( Urtica dioica ) and the Siberian hemp nettle ( Urtica cannabina ) or in rubber trees ( Ficus elastica ) ago.

They are particularly numerous in older leaves. Therefore, only the young leaves and shoots of the great nettle or the Siberian hemp nettle should be used for consumption, as the cystolites are irritating to the kidneys.

Individual evidence

1. ^ ^{A b} Rudolf Schubert, Günther Wagner: Botanical dictionary - plant names and botanical technical terms. 12th edition, Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2000 ISBN 3-8252-1476-1 , p. 606
2. ↑ Frank Waskow: Hemp & Co. - The renaissance of domestic fiber plants. Verlag Die Werkstatt, Göttingen 1995, ISBN 3-89533-138-4 , p. 155
3. ^ Plants for a Future: Urtica cannabina

Web links

• Image of a cystolith from a rubber tree