Wood anatomy of the dicotyledons indigenous to new zealand 7 santalaceae

Abstract

Anatomical features of the secondary xylem of Mida salicifolia A. Cunn. and Exocarpus bidwillii Hook.f. are described. These woods are diffuse-porous with slightly distinct to indistinct growth rings. The vessels are mostly solitary in E. bidwillii but in M. salicifolia they also occur in radial multiples. Vessels have simple perforation plates with sparse scalariform plates in M. salicifolia. Fine spiral thickening is occasionally present in vessel tails of E. bidwillii. An unusual thickening associated with bordered pits on tangential and radial walls of vessels is found in E. bidwillii. Pits on vessel walls are scattered in E. bidwillii but in M. salicifolia they are compactly arranged in opposite to alternate pattern. Vessel pits to rays are mostly bordered with some simple to almost simple pits. Some vessel pits to rays are large and have irregular shape. Axial parenchyma, which is mainly apotracheal, is moderately frequent to abundant. Poorly developed boundary parenchyma is sometimes present. Rays are heterogeneous to homogeneous and 1–5 cells wide. Fibrous tissue is mostly composed of fibres in M. salicifolia but in E. bidwillii it is entirely composed of fibre-tracheids. Axial elements and rays are much shorter and vessels narrower in E. bidwillii than in M. salicifolia. Vessels and rays per unit area are more numerous in E. bidwillii than in M. salicifolia. © 1974 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.