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Wood Anatomy of Leguminosae

Distemonanthus benthamianus wood, tangential longitudinal section (TLS) showing both prismatic crystals and silica bodies in the parenchyma cells. The rays and axial parenchyma strands are storied, both features found in many caesalpinioid and papilionoid legumes. Silica bodies occur only in a few caesalpinioid legume genera.

Wood anatomy has long been recognised as a useful tool in identifying legume timbers, many of which are of commercial value; some are CITES listed. Information on wood anatomy in the form of photomicrographs, descriptions and keys can be used for both identification and to inform systematic and phylogenetic studies. Since 1991 the wood anatomy of the major tribes and subfamilies of legumes has been documented, combining original observations with published information to provide data for phylogenetic studies. Thus far 15 papers on legume woods have been completed, including Papilionoideae (tribes Sophoreae, Swartzieae, Dipterygeae, Millettieae, some Dalbergieae and Robinieae), Mimosoideae and Caesalpinioideae. The broad surveys of the subfamilies highlight groups which require further investigation, such as Acacia sensu lato, Pithecellobium and Albizia (Mimosoideae) and Caesalpinia. Several other tribes of Papilionoideae require similar treatment of wood anatomy; even some tribes that are traditionally considered non-woody such as Trifolieae include taxa which produce some secondary xylem. Availability of material largely dictates the sequence of investigation.

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