Stinging crystals in plants

Issue Date

August 1924

Abstract

The results go to show that in the case of plants with stinging crystals, the action consists of two distinct stages: (1) The mechanical action of the raphides in piercing the skin; (2) The entrance through the minute wounds of a proteolytic enzyme which is the cause of the greater part of the effect

The removal of the crystals by filtration or the destruction of the enzyme will not eliminate all the irritating properties, but the two actions together are sufficient, and so the action must be regarded as being produced by combination of the two factors

Source or Periodical Title

Science

ISSN

368075

Page

204-205

Document Type

Article

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS