An idioblast is an isolated plant cell that differs from neighboring tissues. They have various functions such as storage of reserves, excretory materials, pigments, and minerals. They could contain oil, latex, gum, resin, tannin, or pigments etc. Some can contain mineral crystals such as acrid tasting and poisonous calcium oxalate, carbonate, or silica. Any of the tissue or tissue systems of plants can contain idioblasts.[1] Idioblasts are divided into three main categories: excretory, tracheoid, and sclerenchymatous.
Idioblasts can contain biforine cells that form crystals. The chemicals are excreted by the plant and stored in liquid or crystalline form. In bundles they are known as druse and as crystals they can be of raphide [needle] form. When the end of an idioblast is broken the crystals or other substance is ejected by internal water pressure. Idioblasts of calcium oxalate may function as a deterrent to herbivores, as a means of sequestering or storing calcium, or as a means of stiffening tissue structure.[2]
- ^ Sachs 1874. "Botany"
- ^ Coté GG (July 2009). "Diversity and distribution of idioblasts producing calcium oxalate crystals in Dieffenbachia seguine (Araceae)". American Journal of Botany. 96 (7): 1245–54. doi:10.3732/ajb.0800276. PMID 21628273.