Figure 1
CaOx crystals and druses in leaves of extant plants. (a,d,f) LM images of the ash of carefully incinerated leaves show their distribution in a planar view. (b,c,h,i) SEM images of freeze-fractured leaves show crystal and druse morphology in detail. (e,g) Micro-CT images of CP-dried leaves. (a–c) Quercus robur; high density of druses (15–25 µm) in the areoles and prismatic crystals along the veins. (d) Hedera helix; leaf densely filled with druses of varying size. (e) Juglans regia; large druses (50–70 µm) in areoles, and small druses along veins. (f) Prunus laurocerasus; high density of prismatic crystals (20–30 µm) everywhere. (g–i) Parrotia persica; numerous small crystals along veins and larger crystals in areoles. Scale bars: (a,d,e,g) = 200 µm; (b) = 20 µm; (c,h,i) = 50 µm; (f) = 100 µm; inset in (c) = 5 µm.
