Comparative Wood Anatomy : Systematic, Ecological, and Evolutionary Aspects of Dicotyledon Wood

The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, !hat such names are exempt from the relevant proteelive laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. 2131/3130-543210 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1988 Preface and Acknowledgments One reason for presentation of a book on comparative wood anatomy is that no recent book solely on this topic has been written. Those familiar with wood anatomy are certainly familiar with other books dealing with various ofits aspects, such as identification, dendrology, dendrochronoloGy, and other aspects closely related to comparative wood anatomy. These books are certainly part of the field of comparative wood anatomy and are cited in Chapter 1 and elsewhere in this book. The purpose oftbis book is not to duplicate those efforts, but to offer a volume that has a different focus. This book assumes that the readerwill have an elementary knowledge ofthe subject, such as might be obtained in a course in plant anatomy.Because comparative wood anatomy deals with descriptions of wood features, an attempt has been made to cover as many wood features as possible that vary with relation to the taxonomic system. Each worker may have a different way of producing a description, but with a reason. The present compilation attempts to see the value in all of these variants and take into account the collective wisdom in wood descriptions. The nature of that wisdom is continually in the process of change, and this book follows significant changes that have occurred in wood anatomy during the past several decades.The work of I. W. Bailey and his students gave an evolutionary dimension to comparative wood anatomy. Bailey realized that adaptation to ecology is a central theme in wood evolution, and so the field of ecological wood anatomy (which may be considered functional wood anatomy on a comparative basis) becomes an integral part of comparative studies. In describing differences among species or genera, we are usually describing differences in adaptation to ecological features.The synthesis between descriptive, functional, ecological, and physiological aspects of wood anatomy has been slow and difficult. This synthesis is too broad for any one person to effect, so various workers must contribute to it. The data from comparative wood anatomy appeal to me as vital sources of hypotheses -and of materials for testing ofhypotheses. Comparative workers do not need to feel inferior to those who do experimental work, because natural experiments in ecological wood anatomy have produced compelling patterns, and those interested in wood physiology can ignore those patterns only at their peril. Large genera, distributed into different habitats, • are like replicates of an experimental material, with the additional advantage of time for selection of optimal wood plans for VI Preface each ecological habitat (we must note that wood is not the sole tool whereby a plant deals with water economy).However, comparative workers should be vitally interested in the results of wood physiology, because this field can show with clarity and precision exactly how wood adaptations work. Thus a bridge between the two fields is in the process of construction.The transitional nature ofthe field of comparative wood anatomy and the enormity of Iiterature in this area make construction of a book difficult. No two individuals would have selected material similarly; my selection, although idiosyncratic, hopefully can serve a range of interests. No book is a substitute for the primary Iiterature of a field, especially those with extensive citation of papers.I take pleasure in acknowledging the many who have aided my studies in wood over the years. Selecting a few is difficult, for I have leamed directly, and by letters, from many, including Peter Baas, Front Matter....Pages I-X Methods for Comparative Wood Anatomy Studies....Pages 1-11 Growth Rings....Pages 12-39 Vessel Elements....Pages 40-103 Imperforate Tracheary Elements....Pages 104-149 Axial Parenchyma....Pages 150-173 Rays....Pages 174-215 Cell Contents, Secretory Structures....Pages 216-255 Cambial Variants (Anomalous Secondary Growth)....Pages 256-277 Cambial Ontogeny (Storying, Paedomorphosis, Other Changes)....Pages 278-296 Systematic Application of Wood Data....Pages 297-314 Evolution in Wood: An Ecological/Functional Synthesis....Pages 315-357 Back Matter....Pages 358-436 Diagnostically illustrated with light and scanning electron micrographs, Comparative Wood Anatomy lucidly introduces dicotyledon wood in terms of cell types and their variations, pertinent literature, taxonomic distribution of features, terminology, and methods for preparation. Two final chapters present syntheses: taxonomic achievements of wood studies; and the evolutionary relationship between structure, physiological function, and ecology. This detailed survey serves a wide range of interests: identification, systematics, evolution and physiology.