What is "palygorskite"

n. (context mineralogy English) A monoclinic-prismatic mineral containing aluminum, hydrogen, magnesium, oxygen, and silicon.

Palygorskite or attapulgite is a magnesium aluminium phyllosilicate with formula (Mg, Al) Si O(O H)·4( HO) that occurs in a type of clay soil common to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the types of fuller's earth. Some smaller deposits of this mineral can be found in Mexico, where its use is tied to the manufacture of Maya blue in pre-Columbian times.