Raphide Slay - Adriana Jacobi
Calcium oxalate crystals, otherwise known as “raphides” are microscopic needle-like structures within the tissues of a variety of plants. It is concluded that these crystals help protect the plant from herbivory. In large quantities, raphides can cause great harm to herbivores. I began my research on these crystals in the Monstera adansonii species about a year ago in the biodiverse cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica during a tropical ecology study abroad program. My interest in plants stemmed from the COVID lockdown, where I compiled a whopping 73 tropical plant species in my parent’s house. Before taking any plant ecology classes at CU, I used my newfound hobby to better understand plant systematics and became increasingly interested in plant taxonomy, anatomy, morphology, and evolution.
In my final semester at CU Boulder, I am using my research from the Monstera adansonii plant and the calcium oxalate crystals alongside additional publications and examining the phenotypic differences that occur within the same plant species, with an emphasis on physical defenses and herbivore interactions. Pursuing an honors thesis has been an amazing journey thus far and I could not have done it without the ongoing support, insight, and inspiration from Dr. Deane Bowers, Dr. Pieter Johnson, and Dr. José Miguel Chaves‐Fallas.
