A crystalline botanical fashion show.
Awhile back Chemical & Engineering News published a fascinating article called "The Secret Life of Plant Crystals" with some wonderful photos of calcium oxalate crystals. Special cells (called "idioblasts") produce these crystals, with shapes that are unique to each type of plant.
Reposted for the holiday.
Even though 75% of flowering plants make these crystals, no one knows why ... Read more
