W.P. Abasolo, M. Yoshida, H. Yamamoto, T. Okuyama
Silica in Several Rattan Species
Summary
The overall silica content in 10 rattan species was analyzed. Its distribution within the stem of Calamus
merrillii Becc. was also tested. Anatomical observations were performed to explain the silica content
variation. Ash and silica content varied among species. Regardless of diameter class, silica accounts for
44% to 48% of the overall ash content of the stem. Silica in the medium and small diameter stem was
twice as much as in the large diameter stem. Within Calamus merrillii Becc., silica was abundant in the
epidermal layer. It was responsible for 74% to 85% of the total silica content of the stem, which explains
the variation in silica content between diameter classes. The proportion of epidermal layer contained in
the sample deviated among the species causing a variation in silica content. Epidermal silica did not vary
along the length of the stem while silica in the stem itself varied significantly from base to top. Differences
in silica body frequency per vascular bundle caused such deviation.
Holzforschung, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 0018-3830
Volume: 55, 11/2001
Pages: 595 - 600
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