Systematic Studies on Some Korean Woody Plants -Anatomy of Lauraceous Stem Woods-

한국산 목본식물에 대한 계통분류학적 연구

Anatomical features and cell dimensions of the secondary xylem in the stem of the korean Lauraceas including 6 genera and 12 species were investigated under a light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Key to identification among genera or species was made from the anatomical features and systematic correlation investigated. The stem woods of Lauraceae exhibit the following characters: (1) quite evenly distributed pores (diffuse-porous wood) (2) perforation plates simple or occasionally scalariform in the latewood vessels (3) almostly 2-seriate and heterocellular rays (4) abundant paratracheal-vasicentric parenchyma (5) oil cells. Especially, the appearance of simple perforation plates suggest the Lauraceae to be more or less advanced. It is considered that the series of specialization in the Lauraceae from the perforation plates and the height of rays is as LinderalongrightarrowNeolitsealongrightarrow(Machilus, Litsea, Iozoste)longrightarrowCinnamomum, and Lindera sericea is the most pribitive in the Lauraceae.