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raphide

 
Dictionary: ra·phide   (rā'fīd) pronunciation
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also ra·phis (-fĭs)
n., pl., raph·i·des (răf'ĭ-dēz').
One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells.

[French, sing. of raphides, from New Latin, from Greek rhaphides, pl. of rhaphis, needle, from rhaptein, to sew.]


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Veterinary Dictionary: raphide
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Home > Library > Animal Life > Veterinary Dictionary

Needle-like microscopic crystals of calcium oxalate found in plants (Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, Zantedescgia, Colocasia, Alocasia spp.); reputedly capable of causing painful laceration of the tongue.

Wikipedia: Raphide
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Raphides are needle-shaped crystals of calcium carbonate or calcium oxalate found in specialized plant cells called idioblasts[1]. It is believed that the raphides are a defense mechanism against plant predators [2], as they are likely to tear the soft tissues of the throat or esophagus of a plant predator chewing on the plant's leaves [3] [4].

References

  1. ^ Weber, R.A. (2007). Raphides, the cause of the acridity of certain plants. Scientific American Supplement. Retrieved online on 09 December 2009 from: http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/scientific-american/sup7/Raphides-The-Cause-Of-The-Acridity-Of-Certain-Plants.html
  2. ^ Arnott, H.J., M.A, Webb (2000). Twinned Raphides of Calcium Oxalate in Grape (Vitis):Implications for Crystal Stability and Function. International Journal of Plant Sciences 161(1):133-142.
  3. ^ ASPCA (2009). Taro. ASPCA official website: Animal Poison Control Center. Retrieved on 07 December 2009 from: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/taro-1.html
  4. ^ Wrongdiagnosis.com (2009). Plant poisoning - Calcium oxalate crystals. Wrongdiagnosis.com retrieved on 07 December 2009 from: http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/plant_poisoning_calcium_oxalate_crystals/intro.htm

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Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Raphide".  Read more