4-MeOPP in aqueous or acidic solutions forms long, colorless straw like blades with the platinic chloride reagent. These grow abundantly in the drop. They appear white or in various colors depending on their orientation in crossed polars. At high concentrations, shell-like structures are formed at the edge of the drop. These are unique to this drug-reagent combination. The shell-like crystal has an outer dark edge with a colorless layer that follows. At the core of the crystal are short dark needles arranged in loose clusters. Embedded in the needle clusters are small purple prisms that can be observed at high magnifications. The entire crystal form appears faint white under crossed polars with contrast between different features.