Elaioplast

Oil bodies (international frequently Elaioplast of ancient Greek ἔλαιον Elaión " oil ", " anointing oil ", " olive oil " and ancient Greek πλαστός plastos "formed" ) are cell organelles that only occur in liverworts.

Oil bodies are surrounded by a membrane ( endoplasmic reticulum ) and contain terpenes ( sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes ). They occur in about 90% of liverworts and come nowhere else in the plant kingdom. The oil bodies are very different in shape, size and color from species to species and are an important determining feature Represents the sole presence of oil bodies in liverworts is a strong indication for the monophyletic origin of this group. The organelle has differentiated itself from a proplastids.

The occurring in some mosses " oil bodies " have no membrane and are composed of lipids that serve as reserve materials. Thus, no oil body in the proper sense.