THE ACCUMULATION AND BINDING OF COPPER IN LEAF TISSUE OF <i>BECIUM HOMBLEI</i> (DE WILD.) DUVIGN. &amp; PLANCKE

Abstract

S ummary The flowering plant Beciutn homblei is able to accumulate copper and other heavy metals to a relatively high level in its leaves. Approximately 17% of the total copper is concentrated in cell walls where it is bound as an organic complex. Copper in water extracts of leaf tissue is not in free ionic form but is complexed with amino acids or peptides. In vitro experiments indicate the strong complexing powers with copper of certain substances in leaf tissue.