title: Characterization of a mineral coating of the plant Dyerophytum indicum.
abstract: The mineral coating of Dyerophytum indicum Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae) was analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy methods. Its composition was found to be similar to those of the carbonate mixtures isolated from rotting cacti and speleothems. The coating consisted of three major phases (monohydrocalcite, nesquehonite, and calcite), a minor phase of hydromagnesite, and traces of silica and sylvite. This is the first time that the occurrence of monohydrocalcite, nesquehonite, and hydromagnesite in a living higher plant has been reported. A possible mechanism of the formation of the coating is also discussed.
authors.forename: Anatoly
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chernyshev
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Melghit
mesh_terms: D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D029606:Plumbaginaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; C005479:magnesium carbonate; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D008274:Magnesium