The Wood Structure of Couratari Aubl. and Courouplta Aubl. (Lecythidaceae)

Abstract

Woods of the genera Couratari Aubl. and Couroupita Aubl. (Lecythidaceae) correspond in appearance and are nearly indistinguishable macroscopically. However, microstructural fea-tures such as parenchyma distribution as well as type and configuration of inorganic contents (silica, Ca-oxalate crystals) can be employed for safely separating the two genera wood ana-tomically. The significance of these features is tested in terms of diagnostic value and their taxonomic implications discussed through pro-jection into the neotropical subfamily Lecythi-doideae and further into Old World Lecythida-ceae. As a result a subdivision of Lecythidoi-deae into two groups is suggested: one com-prising Couratari and the structurally similar genera Allantoma, Bertholletia, Corytophora, Eschweilera and Lecythis sharing a character combination unique in Lecythidaceae; the other comprising Couroupita, Grias and Gusta-via with certain affinities towards Old World Planchonioideae. Cariniana, although structur-ally close to Couratari and allied genera, is ac-corded an intermediate position. The timbers of Couratari and Couroupita lend themselves for a sImilar range of end use categories such as utility plywood, interior construction, furni-ture parts etc. They may, for all practical pur-poses, be combined in one group of commer-cial timbers to be used eventually as SUbstitutes for such well known medium density woods as Ramin, Virola and others.