Systematic anatomy of the woods of the Burseraceae

Abstract

The author describes the anatomy of the Burseraceae log and compares it with that of Anacardiaceae, Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae and Meliaceae. The similarities in the structure of his logs suggest the possibility of a common origin; those of Meliaceae show greater specialization than those of Simaroubaceae and Rutaceae, which in turn are more specialized than those of Burseraceae and Anacardiaceae. The traumatic intercellular cavities of the Rutaceae and Simaroubaceae rays seem to suggest the origin of these families from plants such as Burseraceae and Anacardiaceaes, which have normal intercellular channels in their rays.