Microscopic artifact found during examination of the skin: plant hair of Viburnum dentatum.

Examination of skin specimens with microscopic techniques requires differentiation of pathogenic structures from artifact. While preparing potassium hydroxide preparations for fungal identification or immersion oil preparations for scabies identification, we have recently seen several examples of a bizarre stellate or cruciform plant structure. These artifactual particles were identified as plant hairs from Viburnum dentatum, or arrowwood. Clinicians and laboratory technicians should be aware of this artifact in order to interpret microscopic skin specimens appropriately.