Leaf optical properties are affected by the location and type of deposited biominerals

• Encrusted leaf structures affect leaf optical properties.
• Elemental localization analysis shows that these structures are encrusted by Si and/or by Ca.
• The Si and Ca contents and their distribution patterns differ among the species.
• Reflectance spectra were significantly affected by the concentrations of Ca.
• Si, Ca and Mg concentrations significantly affected transmittance spectra.

This study aimed to relate the properties of incrusted plant tissues and structures as well as biomineral concentrations and localization with leaf reflectance and transmittance spectra from 280 nm to 880 nm in the grasses Phragmites australis, Phalaris arundinacea, Molinia caerulea and Deschampsia cespitosa, and the sedge Carex elata. Redundancy analysis revealed that prickle-hair length on adaxial surface and thickness of lower epidermis exerted significant effects in P. australis; prickle-hair density at abaxial leaf surface and thickness of epidermis on adaxial leaf surface in P. arundinacea; thickness of epidermis on adaxial leaf in D. cespitosa; prickle-hair density on adaxial leaf surface and thickness of cuticle in M. caerulea; and prickle-hair density on adaxial leaf surface and cuticle thickness of the lower side in C. elata. Micro-PIXE and LEXRF elemental localization analysis show that all of these structures and tissues are encrusted by Si and/or by Ca. Reflectance spectra were significantly affected by the Ca concentrations, while Si and Mg concentrations and the Ca concentrations significantly affected transmittance spectra. High concentrations of Mg were detected in epidermal vacuoles of P. arundinacea, M. caerulea and D. cespitosa. Al co-localises with Si in the cuticle, epidermis and/or prickle hairs.