Abstract
This study describes diagnostic phytoliths from dicotyledons native to the Great Plains. The study is based on analysis of an extensive phytolith reference collection that includes 25 grass species, 11 non-grass monocot species, 65 herbaceous dicot species, 20 woody dicot species and 14 gymnosperm species. Non-dicot species are included in the study for comparison with dicot phytoliths to determine at what level dicot phytoliths are taxonomically useful. Analysis of these reference species indicates that there are at least nine major phytolith types formed only in dicots. Four of the phytolith types identified are formed in both herbaceous and woody dicots. The other types, and several subtypes, appear to be specific to certain dicot families or genera. Only phytoliths produced in dicots are reported in this study.
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References
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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Bozarth, S.R. (1992). Classification of Opal Phytoliths Formed in Selected Dicotyledons Native to the Great Plains. In: Rapp, G., Mulholland, S.C. (eds) Phytolith Systematics. Advances in Archaeological and Museum Science, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1155-1_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1155-1_10
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