Some Structural and Evolutionary Aspects of Compression Wood Tracheids

Authors

  • Nobuo Yoshizawa
  • Toshinaga Idei

Keywords:

Compression wood, gymnosperms, helical thickenings, helical ridges and cavities, lignification, secondary wall

Abstract

Structural changes during the transition between normal wood and compression wood were observed. A comparison was made among gymnospermous species with respect to variations in the common features of compression wood tracheids. The results suggest that compression wood has undergone a certain evolutionary development. In Taxus, Torreya, and Cephalotaxus, the helical thickenings are retained even in the severe compression wood but not in Pseudotsuga, Picea, and Larix which instead form helical cavities. Helical thickenings have undergone evolutionary specialization. The rounding of cell shape and the excessive lignification in the S2 layer are considered to be essential elements for the formation of compression wood.

References

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Published

2007-06-22

Issue

Number 4 / October 1987

Section

Research Contributions

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