Abstract

The present study has examined the morphology and location of calcium oxalate crystals in the stem, petiole and leaf of Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl. The results showed that: no crystals were observed in epidermis cells for all organs that were studied (epidermis/ hypodermis), and no crystals in mesophyll tissue, as well. Out of the five types of calcium oxalate crystals, mentioned in the specialized sources, four of them were noticed: raphides, druses, crystal sands and prisms. In addition, crystalline were observed rosette-like inner and outer of cortex cells and spherical shape on cell wall pith tissues of stem. Calcium oxalate crystals were observed in hypodermis layers of leaf, and cortex and pith parenchyma cells of petiole and stem. The raphides idioblasts (cells that containing raphides) were different in their shapes, some of them are ovate, others are oblong or rectangular with papillae at ends, or with elliptical shaped cell wall; crystal sands idiobast of rounded cells Raphides and crystal sands idioblstes were differed from surrounded cells, whereas in druse and prism idioblasts they were similar to those cells around them. Raphides of the second type were observed in this study.