Oxalic acid is an organic acid naturally produced by many plants as part of normal metabolism. It readily binds with calcium to form insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which plants may store in specialized cells for calcium regulation, waste sequestration, and defence against herbivores.
Oxalic acid and soluble oxalates occur at different concentrations among plant species and tissues and can contribute to the irritating or toxic effects of some plants when ingested.
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