Distribution and chemical composition of crystals in wood of Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr Jussieu) Muell. Arg.

Resumo

In order to understand the intraspecific changes that occur in the rubber tree wood from São Paulo and Paraná (Brazil), the distribution and the chemical composition of crystals were investigated by morphological and chemical analyses using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, respectively. Prismatic calcium oxalate crystals were frequently found in vessels and in parenchyma cells of both sites. The findings of this study suggest that crystals may be associated with the beginning of growth and also highlights the need for further investigations about soil nutrient to compare with crystal content found in Hevea brasiliensis wood.