Identification of Silica Present in the Giant-Reed (Arundo donax L.)

Abstract

The silica content of the internodes of the giant-reed (Arundo donax L.) grown under our conditions was determined as being 0.92 to 2.03 percent. Through the employment of X-ray diffraction patterns and petrographic-microscope studies the silica present in the internodes was identified as mineral opal, being clear, colorless, and isotropic, with an index of refraction of 1.45.