• Crystals

• Plants store excess inorganic substances in their tissues.

• In plants, inorganic deposits are in the form of calcium salts, most commonly
calcium oxalate crystals.
• Single crystals (monohydrates) have the shape of rhombohedrons, octahedra.
• Druzes (dihydrates) are star-fused pyramidal crystals.
• Raphides (dihydrates) are needle crystals.
• Styloids (dihydrates) are elongated, prismatic crystals with pointed ends.
• Crystalline sand has the form of small crystals that fill the cavity of the
idioblast
• Cystolitis is an internal growth of the membrane of specialized lithocyst cells
 Trichoms
• Trichoms are protrusions formed by the division of epidermis cells that
extend directly outwards.
• They are divided into two main groups: cover and gland trichoms.
• Covering trixhomss consist of cells that become dead over time as the
protoplast dies, while glandular trichoms consist of living cells that
perform secretion work.
• Since they are structures formed on the epidermis, their main function is
to protect the parts exposed to sunlight.
• ✓ In general, they have protective roles, dispersing seeds and preventing
heat and water loss.
• ✓ They play a regulatory role in heat and sweating.
• ✓ Trichoms can also serve as clinging elements
• ✓ They also have protective duties towards animals. The glandular
trichoms are always alive and secrete various substances. For example, the
tip of the stinging trichoms in Urtica is siliceous.