SOFTWOOD STRUCTURE AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF CONIFERS

Abstract

Computational analysis of anatomical data for 113 species and forty‐two genera of Coniferae shows a marked distinction between Pinaceae and the rest, not reflected in taxonomic systems but consistent with other information. Most accepted genera and families, and the sections of Pinus, have anatomical support. Cupressaceae, however, fall into two widely separated groups, southern members joining the Podocarpaceae and Araucariaceae and the rest associating with northern families. The order Taxales is not distinguished by wood structure. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved