CALCIUM-CONTAINING CRYSTALS IN TELFAIRIA HOOKER (CUCURBITACEAE).

Polarized light and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the distribution, location and form of crystals in the leaves, probracts, stems, flowers and seed-coats of Telfairia pedata (Sims) Hooker and T. occidentalis Hooker fil. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed that calcium is the primary crystal cation.