Types of calcium oxalate

Calcium oxalate is great importance in identification and differentiation of different plants, react between calcium absorbed from soil and oxalate is the result of metabolism          ca.oxalate.

 Calcium oxalate precipitates in cell in different shapes & sizes:

1. Prisms: e.g. Cascara & Senna.

2. Rosettes: e.g. clove (umbelleferae).

3. Acicular (needle shaped): e.g. Cinnamon.

4. Cluster: e.g. Senna & Chamomile.

Prepared slide by used chloral hydrate 70% because very slowly dissolved the crystal.

Identification:

1. Insoluble in acetic acid & caustic alkali.

2. Soluble in hydrochloric and sulphuric acid without effervescent and show after solution in 50% sulphuric acid needle crystals of calcium sulphate           

                                      

A. prism

                                                 

B. cluster

                                                     

C. needle shape

                                        

D. Rosettes