The Secondary Xylem of Aquilaria Agallocha (Thymelaeaceae) and the Formation of 'Agar'

Abstract

Aquilaria agallocha Roxb., the sasi tree of Assam, is the chief source of 'agar' or 'eaglewood' of commerce which is highly prized in perfumery. However, the dark coloured scented wood, to which the name 'agar' is applied, is not found in all trees of this species, and the factors responsible for its occurrence in only a small percentage of trees are not properly understood. This paper compares the anatomical structure of the scented and unscented wood as a contribution towards a better understanding of agar formation.