Anatomical variability of wood in four forest species of different provenances south of Ecuador

Abstract

The study shows the anatomical variability of Alnus acuminata Kunth., Cedrela odorata L., Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.) S.O.Grose., and Jacaranda sparrei A. H. Gentry native species of the southern zone of Ecuador with high economic and cultural importance. The objective was to identify if there are anatomical differences between individuals of the same species, and to determine how the conditions of the site influence their microscopic characteristics. To deter-mine these anatomical characteristics, three micrometric cuts were made in the radial, tangential, and transversal planes of 1cm wooden cubes, then the sections were dye with Astrablue and Safranina for tissue differentiation, and finally sealed with Balsam from Canada. The anatomical characteristics were characterized based on the IAWA nomenclature. The results showed that all species have similar anatomical characteristics regardless of where they grew. However, Alnus acuminata Kunth showed differences in perforation plaques and pits, Cedrela odorata L. in the arrangement and quantity of vessels, and Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.) S.O.Grose., y Jacaranda sparrei A. H. Gentry in the number of vessels. Therefore, provenance and site conditions only influence the number and arrange-ment of perforation plaques, pits, and vessels.