Calcium oxalate druses inside lithocysts of a lotus leaf

Intercellular spaces within a critical-point-dried lotus leaf, faced with calcium oxalate lithocysts, showing different development stages of crystal druses. The sharp tips of the druses destroy the wall of the lithocyst, setting the crystals free. Colorized SEM image -- a composite of topographic contrast (secondary electron signal) and compositional contrast (backscattered electron signal)