Wood anatomy of Horsfieldia (Myrlsticaceae)

Abstract

The wood of Horsfieldia is, on the whole, very homogeneous. The greatest differences observed are related to the relative age of the specimens. In contrast to the wood of Knema the mature wood of Horsfieldia lacks oil cells in the rays and has a predominance of simple perforation plates as well as shorter, wider vessel elements and wider rays. The homogeneity of the secondary xylem of Horsfieldia makes it of little taxonomic value on a specific level. Based on wood anatomy, Horsfieldia can be distinguished from the other three Asiatic genera of the Myristicaceae.