WOOD ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS WITHIN THE GENUS CASTANOPSIS

Abstract

Variations in wood anatomical characters of four species of Castanopsis from different localities were examined in relation to altitude and latitude. Variations were not significant due to altitude and latitude for fibre and vessel element lengths. Dimensions of different wood elements were not significantly correlated with rainfall, number of rainy days, altitude and latitude. Site-specific factors may have impact on variations in vessel arrangement, parenchyma distribution and presence/absence of broad rays, proportions of tissues and vessel element, and fibre lengths.