Calcium oxalate crystals in halo-xerophytic species and their macropatterns trends. The importance of a multivariate analysis considering soil characteristics

- Five types of crystal macropatterns were described for halo-xerophytic species.
- Crystals and soil characteristics were related with a multivariate analysis.
- Druses were related with soils of high or low salinity and calcium concentration.
- Polyhedral crystals were related with soils of low salinity and calcium amount.
- Species with similar macropatterns may present differences in their micropatterns.

The morphological characteristics of calciphytoliths and description of their macro and micropattern in leaves of halo-xerophytic species of the Salitral de la Vidriera, Argentina, were carried out. Additionally, a multivariate analysis was conducted to identify any relation between the form and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals and soil characteristics. Druses and polyhedral crystals were found. Among the species with druses five macropatterns were described while in the species with polyhedral crystals, only two. Regarding micropattern, crystals were distributed in different cells (chlorenchyma, idioblasts, bundle sheats, aqueous tissue). Species with druses were found in areas with different salinity and concentration of calcium while the polyhedral crystals were presented only in species inhabiting soils of lower salinity and ower concentration of calcium. The species inhabiting the area of lower salinity and concentration of calcium, had uniform distribution of crystals in their leaves; under other soil conditions the species presented variations in acropetal o centripetal direction.