Calcium Oxalate Crystal in Cannabis, SEM

A SEM image of the edge of a leaf shows a calcium oxalate crystal. These crystals are found throughout the plant and are responsible for throat irritation when medical marijuana is smoked. Plants that have too many oxalate crystals are good candidates for modern THC extraction techniques. Calcium oxalate crystals in plants are called raphides. Humans have similar calcium crystals that can appear as kidney stones. These crystals help remove calcium build up in the tissues and make it undesirable for grazing animals to eat the plant. Magnification is x120 on the printed page.

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Filename: K170406z056.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 3567x2870 / 4.5MB; sciencesource.com; botany botanical structure anatomy plant anatomy plant micrograph microscopy scanning electron micrograph sem cannabis cannabis sativa leaf leaf surface trichome plant hair hair epidermal hair marijuana plant hemp plant color enhance false color SEM calcium oxalate crystal leaf raphides
Contained in galleries: Cannabis

A SEM image of the edge of a leaf shows a calcium oxalate crystal. These crystals are found throughout the plant and are responsible for throat irritation when medical marijuana is smoked. Plants that have too many oxalate crystals are good candidates for modern THC extraction techniques. Calcium oxalate crystals in plants are called raphides. Humans have similar calcium crystals that can appear as kidney stones. These crystals help remove calcium build up in the tissues and make it undesirable for grazing animals to eat the plant. Magnification is x120 on the printed page.