Alan Crivellaro

Fritz Hans Schweingruber

Atlas of Wood, Bark

and Pith Anatomy of
Eastern Mediterranean
Trees and Shrubs
with a Special Focus on Cyprus
Atlas of
Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy
of Eastern Mediterranean
Trees and Shrubs
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Atlas of
Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy
of Eastern Mediterranean
Trees and Shrubs
with a Special Focus on Cyprus

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Dr. Alan Crivellaro
Università degli Studi di Padova – Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi AgroForestali
Viale dell’Università 16
35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
email: alancrivellaro@gmail.com

Prof. Dr. Fritz Hans Schweingruber

Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research – WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
email: fritz.schweingruber@wsl.ch

Charalambos S. Christodoulou
Takis Papachristophorou
Takis Tsintides
Dept. of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
Louki Akrita 26
1414 Nicosia, Cyprus

Alessia Da Ros
Graphic Designer

ISBN 978-3-642-37234-6 ISBN 978-3-642-37235-3 (eBook)

DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-37235-3
Springer Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London

Library of Congress Control Number 2013942798

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

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Cover illustration
Cross-section of a twig of Phlomis lunariifolia (Lamiaceae), grown in the maquis on Cyprus. Cells of the
central part of the pith are thin-walled and tracheary elements of the metaxylem are arranged in distinct
radial rows.

Printed on acid-free paper

Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)

Alan Crivellaro received his BA in Wood Science, a MS in
Forestry and a PhD in Ecology from the University of Pa-
dova, Italy. Timber strength properties and wood anatomy
are a particular focus of his work. For this book he collect-
ed the material, prepared the slides, realized the anatomi-
cal descriptions and photomicrographs, and supervised
the graphical design of the atlas.

Fritz H. Schweingruber has a MS in Botany (Bern Universi-

ty, Switzerland). He was leader of the research group Tree
Ring and Site at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forests,
Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) and professor at the
Institute of Botany at the University of Basel, Switzerland.
His work is documented by many scientific papers and
wood anatomy books. He supervised the material prepara-
tion, anatomical descriptions, and atlas’ design.

Charalambos S. Christodoulou has a BS in Forest Man-

agement (University of Central Lancashire, UK). He col-
lected and identified plant material, provided plant
photographs and contributed to the editing of plant de-
scriptions.

Alessia Da Ros has a BA in Industrial Design and a MS in

Visual and Multimedia Communications at the University
of Venice, Italy. She worked in a graphic studio; at the
moment she is in charge of organizing art exhibitions. For
this book she managed the graphic design, along with text
and photos editing.

Takis Papachristophorou has a Diploma in Forestry from

the Cyprus Forestry College and a Diploma in Tree Surgery
(Germany). He collected and identified plant material and
provided photographs of plants.

Takis Tsintides has a BS in Forestry (Aristotle University,

Greece) and an MS in Recourse Management (Edinburgh
University, Scotland). He organised and supervised the
field-work for the collection of samples on Cyprus and
coordinated the editing of plant descriptions.

V
Preface and Acknowledgments
The idea of this atlas started in 2004 after
Alan Crivellaro visited the island of Cyprus
and bought a book about tree and shrub spe-
cies growing on the island. Soon after return-
ing home, he realized that the wood anato-
mies were only described for a portion of the
species included in that book. Several months
later Alan Crivellaro and Fritz Schweingru-
ber became acquainted at the International
Course on Wood Anatomy and Tree-Ring Ecol-
ogy in Davos Laret (Switzerland). They dis-
cussed the feasibility of a large study focused
on the anatomy of Cyprus’ trees and shrubs,
with the recognition that the indigenous flora
of the island can be considered representative
of the eastern Mediterranean region. It wasn’t
until 2009 that they started collecting plant
material, with the essential assistance of their
Cypriot coauthors, Charalambos S. Christo-
doulou, Takis Papachristophorou and Takis
Tsintides. The collecting was followed by
slides preparation, material description, and
finally preparation of this atlas.
This book is intended to serve as a manual
for the identification of stem material under
the microscope for all woody plants (trees,
shrubs, subshrubs and climbers), whether
wild or cultivated, that are commonly found in
the Eastern Mediterranean region. Along with
the anatomical descriptions of stem wood, the
atlas describes also the anatomical structure
of twigs’ xylem, bark and pith. These addi-
tional information will aid in plant identifica-
tion, and also will open the way for new types
of dendroecological and functional studies.
We hereby acknowledge the following people
and organizations for their contributions to
this book: Tiziana Urso (Padova, Italy) who
introduced AC to wood anatomy; Maria Socra-
tous and Andreas Nearchou (Nicosia, Cyprus)
who helped during some field collection trips;
Holger Gärtner and Paolo Cherubini (Birmens-
dorf, Switzerland) for hosting AC at WSL and
making substantial contributions during the
formative stages of the project; Petra Zi-
bulski (Basel, Switzerland) who made many
important critical remarks and suggestions to
improve codified lists for bark and pith ana-
tomical features; Barbara Lachenbruch (Cor-
vallis, Oregon) for hosting AC at OSU and for
the stimulating discussions providing critical
scientific advices and valuable help in the
preparation of the manuscript; Annett Börner
(Adelaide, Australia), Andrew Brookes (Ports-
mouth, United Kingdom), Shaaban Ghaland-
arayeshi (Kordkoy, Iran), Ori Fragman-Sapir
(Jerusalem, Israel) and Georgios N. Hadjik-
yriacou (Nicosia, Cyprus) who provided plant
pictures; and Alma Piermattei (Ancona, Italy)
who provided some specimens and plant
pictures.
The Cyprus’ Ministry of Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Environment - Department of
Forests, the University of Padova (Italy) - De-
partment of Land, Environment, Agriculture,
and Forestry (TeSAF), and the Swiss Federal
Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Re-
search (WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland) pro-
vided logistic and scientific infrastructures.
Alan Crivellaro and Fritz H. Schweingruber
Padova and Birmensdorf, January 2013
VII
Foreword
Humans have probably always lived with
some balance between admiration of the
beauty in nature and reliance on what nature
can provide us. Wood is a good example.
Woodworkers, carvers, builders and paper-
makers have created objects and shelters
that celebrate wood, exuberantly or quietly.
Simultaneously, half the harvested wood
on earth is used for fuel to make dwellings
habitable and food edible, and most of us use
wood products for daily needs from furni-
ture to paper. It is estimated that the aver-
age person on earth uses the equivalent of
1,6 kg of dried wood a day—about 600 kg in
a year—with the highest consumers, in the
US, using four times that much. Economists
argue that if we are to continue raising the
standard of living throughout the world we
need to use more wood, not less, because its
use is less costly overall than the alternative
materials such as aluminium and steel. Most
people consider the stem as “just a piece of
wood” when in fact, being situated mid-way
between roots and canopy, its activities are
essential for the functioning of the plant. The
stem transports water, nutrients, sugars, and
hormones; buffers water uptake and loss;
supports the mass of the canopy plus loads
from wind, snow, ice, fruit, and epiphytes;
displays foliage and flowers to resources like
light and pollinators; protects the plant from
abrasion and fire; and harbors materials and
meristems that may be needed for growth,
reproduction, and recovery from disturbance.
All this is done by an organ that is fully func-
tional at the same time that it is able to grow.
An enormous number of ways have evolved to
perform these functions, and in consequence,
there is an enormous diversity of types of
woods and barks. This Atlas of Wood, Bark
and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean
Trees and Shrubs is a beautiful contribution
toward understanding stems and their adap-
tations. Moreover, the displays of excellently
prepared and stained sections are art in their
own right.
This atlas provides a rich treasury of infor-
mation on stems. Unlike most compendia,
this book covers an entire woody flora at one
location, and thus gives us a glimpse of the
variety of stem tissues that can co-occur.
The island of Cyprus is sufficiently diverse
geographically and botanically that we can
use this atlas to look for patterns in the tis-
sues related to phylogeny, growth form, and
level of endemism. Another unusual feature
of this book is the inclusion of images and
descriptions of three plant parts in addition
to the main stem: twig xylem, the pith region,
and the twig’s bark region. The twig/stem
juxtapositions show us graphically that in
many cases twigs are quite distinct anatomi-
cally and are not just miniature trunks. The
pith images and descriptions detail the sur-
prising diversity of pith anatomies in terms of
overall morphology, the variety of cell types
within one pith, the shape of the pith cells,
and the thickness and optical properties of
their walls. The region just exterior to the
pith illustrates the primary xylem and the
earliest-developed secondary xylem, provid-
ing a snapshot of structures present during
the vulnerable development stage just after
stem elongation. The images of bark dem-
onstrate the many ways it is constructed in
twigs. Lastly, having the bark, twig, pith, and
stem in a tidy two-page spread invites us to
make comparisons among them. We can look,
for example, at whether thick-walled fibers,
thick-walled pith parenchyma, and sclereids
are all found in the same plant or whether
these wall thicknesses are uncoupled from
tissue to tissue and organ to organ. The user
will also appreciate the plant descriptions and
photographs, which help us link the micro-
scopic views to the scale at which we may
have known the plants in our hikes and in
some cases, in our gardens and kitchens.
An understanding of the stem’s adaptations
is of growing importance for management.
Humans are increasingly relying on plants,
but in the future these plants are likely to be
growing in more marginal habitats and in cli-
mates with more frequent droughts, flooding,
and wind. Humans are also finding new uses
for species that we have used for millennia,
such as phytoremediation, bioenergy, carbon
sequestration, and erosion control. Manager
and breeders need guidance on what traits—
the structures and functions together—con-
tribute to success in the type of habitat where
they will be grown. Unfortunately, many of
IX
the biologists, agronomists, and foresters
involved in tree breeding and selection are no
longer trained in anatomy, and instead of in-
vestigating the structure/function complexes,
they tend to use proxies (like wood density)
to estimate the plant’s success.
This atlas can fill part of this gap by serving
to educate us in the many structural variants
that survive and reproduce in one geographic
area. For some of the atlas’ users, this case
study of anatomical diversity will provide a
database to help them study how plants work.
X
Such research is helping increase the number
of scientifically based tales on our botani-
cal bookshelves and decrease the number of
“Just So” stories (named for Rudyard Kipling’s
children’s stories in which the narrator tells
an unverified purpose for a biological trait).
Other readers will use this atlas for specific
information on the species or on in the cli-
mates encompassed here. Still other readers
will enjoy the book for its beauty. However it
is used, this atlas is a welcome addition to the
resources we have on plant anatomy.
Barbara Lachenbruch
Dept. of Forest Ecosystems and Society,
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon, USA
Table of Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments..............VII
Foreword..............................................IX
1. Introduction..........................................1
2. Materials and Methods............................3
Origin of the material studied..................3
Plant material preparation.......................3
Wood density..........................................3
3. Definition of Anatomical Features............5
Xylem..................................................5
Bark..................................................24
Pith...................................................31
4. Identification Keys.................................37
Wood without vessels (Gymnosperms)...38
Wood with vessels and included phloem...39
Wood with vessels and without included
phloem..................................................40
5. Anatomical Description of Species........49
Gymnosperms................................53
Cupressaceae............................54
Pinaceae....................................64
Taxaceae.................................76
Gnetales.......................................79
Ephedraceae..............................80
Angiosperms: Monocotyledons..............85
Asparagaceae................................86
Graminaceae..............................88
Ruscaceae.....................................90
Smilacaceae..................................91
Angiosperms: Dicotyledons....................93
Adoxaceae......................................94
Amaranthaceae.............................100
Anacardiaceae..............................102
Apocynaceae................................116
Aquifoliaceae................................120
Araliaceae.....................................122
Aristolochiaceae...........................124
Asclepiadaceae.............................126
Asteraceae....................................128
Berberidaceae...............................154
Betulaceae....................................156
Boraginaceae................................162
Brassicaceae.................................172
Buxaceae......................................188
Caesalpiniaceae............................190
Cannabaceae..............................192
Capparaceae...............................196
Caprifoliaceae............................198
Caryophyllaceae.........................198
Chenopodiaceae........................202
Cistaceae...................................208
Convolvulaceae..........................228
Cornaceae...................................256
Dipsacaceae..............................258
Ebenaceae..................................264
Elaeagnaceae...........................266
Ericaceae...................................268
Euphorbiaceae...........................278
Fabaceae.....................................284
Fagaceae....................................312
Frankeniaceae.............................326
Hypericaceae...............................328
Juglandaceae...............................332
Lamiaceae...................................334
Lauraceae...................................400
Lythraceae..................................402
Malvaceae..................................404
Mimosaceae..............................406
Moraceae.....................................410
Myrtaceae....................................418
Oleaceae......................................430
Orobanchaceae...........................440
Phytolaccaceae...........................442
Platanaceae................................444
Plumbaginaceae........................446
Polygonaceae...............................450
Ranunculaceae.............................452
Rhamnaceae................................456
Rosaceae.....................................466
Rubiaceae....................................506
Rutaceae......................................514
Salicaceae....................................522
Sapindaceae.................................528
Scrophulariaceae..........................536
Simarubaceae..............................538
Solanaceae...................................540
Styracaceae..................................548
Tamaricaceae...............................550
Thymelaeaceae............................558
Ulmaceae.....................................562
Verbenaceae............................564
Vitaceae........................................568
Zygophyllaceae.............................570
References.......................................575
List of Species and Families................579
XI
 Map of the Mediterranean Basin

Modified from: ww2.bgbm.org/mcl/map.asp

Legend: Co Corsica IJ Israel and Jordan Me Malta
AE East Aegean Islands Cr Crete and Karpathos It Italy RK Crimea
Ag Algeria Cy Cyprus Ju ex Jugoslavia Sa Sardinia
Al Albania Eg Egypt Li Libya Si Sicily
An Asiatic Turkey Ga France LS Lebanon and Syria Sn Sinai
Bl Balearic Islands Gr Greece Lu Portugal Tn Tunisia
Bu Bulgaria Hs Spain Ma Morocco Tu Turkey in Europe

Range distribution maps

RT RT

Range maps of the Mediterranean basin for
all species. Topography is shown with con-
tours at 1000 and 2000 m above sea level.
Black dots indicate the country in which the
species is found.
XII
Range maps of Cyprus for all endemic species.
Topography is shown with contours at 100 m
above sea level. These maps also show the
eight botanical divisions (sensu Meikle 1979).
Red square indications Troodos Peak (eleva-
tion 1952 m).
1. Introduction
Every anatomical atlas covers a defined group
of plants or a specific region. The idea of
producing this reference book arose from the
lack of an extensive descriptions of the wood
structure of trees and shrubs indigenous to
the Eastern Mediterranean, and the continu-
ing demand for wood identification in that
region (Lev-Yadun 2008). The primary aim of
this atlas is to present the range of anatomi-
cal features occurring in lignified plants from
the Eastern Mediterranean, in order to facili-
tate plant material identification. Secondly,
it is intended to create a basis for ecological
anatomy, comparative ecophyletic and ar-
chaeological studies. Here we present a wide
range of taxonomically important anatomi-
cal features occurring in plants from Cyprus,
including various habits from trees, shrubs,
dwarf shrubs to some perennial herbs and
woody lianas. Anatomical features of stem xy-
lem, twig bark and pith have been described
for 264 species (12 Gymnosperms, 2 Gneta-
les, 6 Angiosperms Monocotyledons and 244
Angiosperms Dicotyledons) belonging to 71
families.
Since former times, wood and timbers played
an important role in the Mediterranean re-
gion (Meiggs 1982). Therefore, identifying
plant species from archeobotanical material,
historical objects, and remains belonging
to the human cultural heritage is important.
Identifying such material is often difficult
because wood anatomical features are only
partially present in plant remains. Moreover,
wood of a few shrubs and dwarf shrubs, as
well as wood from not commonly used trees,
has been investigated in detail before. While
some wood atlases for the east Mediterranean
region, and for some nearby areas, have been
published (Chudnoff 1956, Edlmann et al.
1994, Fahn et al. 1986, Grosser 1977, Huber
and Rouschal 1954, Niloufari 1961, Parsa
Pajouh and Schweingruber 1988, Saya 1957,
1959, Schmidt 1941, Schweingruber 1978,
1990) these descriptions are of limited value
for identification, since they are dispersed in
a number of publications, and most of them
were published prior to the introduction of
the IAWA codified anatomical feature lists.
Recently Akkemik and Yaman (2012) pub-
lished a valuable wood anatomy atlas of
Eastern Mediterranean species, mainly from
Turkey.
A. Crivellaro, F. H. Schweingruber, Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-37235-3_1, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Wooden specimens are often associated with
bark, mainly in archeological context. Bark
has been used in many cultures for food, as
a source of fibers for textiles and cordage,
in medicine, as writing material, die, etc.
(Sandved et al. 1993). Bark anatomy is still
rarely presented systematically for a great
number of species (Esau 1969, Roth 1981,
Schweingruber et al. 2011, Zahur 1959).
The anatomy of pith has been neglected. In
fact, there is no systematic description of
the anatomy of the pith region for trees and
shrubs from any woody floras of the world.
Here we describe in detail the twig’s pith and
bark anatomies by following a classification
for anatomical features of those structures.
Having bark and pith anatomical descriptions
addresses new possibilities in plant identi-
fication. Moreover, the association of bark
and pith anatomical features to ecological
and biological factors, will possibly open new
fields of ecophyletic and ecophysiological
investigation.
Cyprus, which is the third largest island of
the Mediterranean Sea, offers a great range
of habitat types and a large number of typi-
cally Eastern Mediterranean species, includ-
ing many endemics. On Cyprus grows about
50 endemic woody species: for almost all of
them no anatomical descriptions are avail-
able. Additionally, the indigenous flora of
Cyprus is taxonomically diverse due to the
variety of ecological conditions found on the
island and because of its close geographical
position to Europe, the Middle East and north-
ern Africa. We chose to extensively sample on
Cyprus, considering that the trees and shrubs
of the island are representative of the whole
vegetation throughout the Eastern Mediterra-
nean region. Almost all woody species native
to the island were included, some introduced
(e.g. Eucalyptus) or cultivated (Citrus spp.
and Prunus spp.) or ornamental species (e.g.
Lantana camara) as well as some species
which have their distribution limits close to
Cyprus. For genera with a distribution range
that extends over the Eastern Mediterranean
region (e.g. Acer spp., Populus spp.), we
described only the species which grows on
Cyprus.
This book differs from traditional wood atlas-
es in some aspects which can be summarized
as the follow:
1
- all anatomical features are presented in col- region as ornamental plants. The key objec-
our photomicrographs from double-stained tive of identification of groups of species by
sections. Sometimes microphotographs prove using a few selected unambiguous and clearly
to be more informative than the brief descrip- visible features. The use of the key in con-
tions removing most of the ambiguity that junction with the photomicrographs should
feature definitions alone would provide; make it possible to identify almost any plant
- the anatomy of twigs is presented systemati- occurring in the eastern Mediterranean on the
cally for each species describing details for base of its stem anatomy.
transverse sections of bark and pith; It should be emphasized that the number
- the anatomy of twig wood is described in of samples per species studied was usually
relation to its anatomical differences to stem restricted to one for both the stem and twig;
wood. only in few cases were two or three samples
The species are arranged in alphabetical or- cut from different plants. We are aware of
der of genus and species, within each of the the risks for the identification that may result
Gymnosperms, Gnetales, Angiosperm Mono- from our sampling strategy. With the present
cotyledons, and Angiosperm Dicotyledons. material it is not possible to demonstrate the
Each species has a coded description with species-specific anatomical variability.
IAWA softwood or hardwood lists of micro- For references on specific families or species
scopic feature numbers (Wheeler et al. 1989, refer to Gregory (1994). It is also not intend-
Richter et al. 2004). For Dicotyledonous An- ed to give a reference for the all work done
giosperm species, some new codified features on dendroecology in the Mediterranean re-
proposed by Schweingruber et al. (2011) were gion, for that refer to Cherubini et al. (2003),
also applied. Anatomical descriptions of stem and Grissino-Mayer website (Grissino-Mayer
wood are provided for transverse, radial and 2013).
tangential sections to facilitate the identifi-
cation process. For bark and pith codified
descriptions, new anatomical features lists
were developed, which are explained in the
chapter Definition of Anatomical Features.
Bark descriptions were difficult in many cases
because of a lack of a consistent internation-
ally accepted list of bark anatomical features.
Problems occurred on the classification of the
bark of Chenopodiaceae because the bark for-
mation mode of plants with successive cam-
bia seems to be different from those without
included phloem. Sieve tubes, parenchyma
cells, phelloderm and phellogen are difficult
to distinguish.
In general, anatomical descriptions are brief,
and details of little importance for identifica-
tion, or barely visible under an optical micro-
scope, have been omitted.
Every species included in this atlas is accom-
panied by a short plant description, providing
information on growth form, plant height and
habit, flower, leaf or fruit characters, general
distribution and habitat. Accompanying each
plant description is a Mediterranean basin
map or a Cyprus map for endemic species.
Species distribution maps are not provided
for species that belong to exotic floras and
that were introduced to the Mediterranean

2
2. Materials and Methods
Origin of the material studied
The extensive sampling of plant material was
carried out on Cyprus in 2009 and 2010. We
used the range descriptions from the stand-
ard references of Cyprus’ flora (Meikle 1979,
1985; Tsintides et al. 2002) to choose a
sampling areas that was representative of the
geographic distribution and habitat range for
each species. At each selected site we sam-
pled one or two undisturbed individuals.
Sampling sites on Cyprus are indicated on the
following map.
RT
Sampling sites on Cyprus in black dots.
The red square indicates the city of Nicosia.
Rare or protected species were collected in
botanical gardens, especially from the arbore-
tum in Athalassa National Forest Park south-
east from Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus.
Identification of floral or fruiting material was
carried out by the taxonomists of the Depart-
ment of Forest of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Environment of Cy-
prus, coauthors of this book. For each plant
two samples were taken: one from the main
stem and another one from a twig. The stem
portion was near the plant’s base, and the
twig portion was from the top of the stem, or
from a branch, selecting 2-4 year old shoot
portions and avoiding short shoots. The stem
and twig samples were stored in a sealed
plastic bag to which several drops of 40% eth-
anol were added and kept at 3-4°C until they
were sectioned. Each plastic bag was identi-
fied with a preprinted label that included the
plant name, site location and elevation, plant
A. Crivellaro, F. H. Schweingruber, Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-37235-3_2, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
height, distance from the soil level and stem
sampling point, and distance from the apex
and twig sampling point.
Plant material preparation
From each 5-8 cm long sample a 1 cm long
disk was cut from the central part, and split
longitudinally. Stem disks more than 1,5
cm in diameter were split to obtain a 1 cm³
sample, and when possible we kept the rays
running parallel to one side of the transverse
section. In very small samples, the transverse
section was cut first. For twig samples special
care was taken to preserve the bark and the
pith on the same section. Tangential sections
were cut from the outermost growth ring,
from intermediate and latewood.
The sections were stained with astra blue and
safranin, dehydrated with alcohol and xylene,
and mounted in Canada balsam (Chaffey
2002; Schweingruber 2007). The cell walls
richer in cellulose stained blue and those
richer in lignin stained red. Parenchyma cells
were usually stained blue and the remaining
cells were generally stained red, making it
easier to interpret wood patterns in cross-
sections.
A transmission-light microscope was used to
observe slides. Polarized filters were applied
for observing crystal presence, and for exam-
ining specific cell wall features. Sections were
imaged using a digital camera mounted on
the microscope. Magnifications are indicated
in μm (0,001 mm) above a black scale bar in
each picture.
Wood density
Wood density values were calculated for each
of the species studied. Wood density was
measured on stem sample portions after
the bark and the pith were removed. Fresh
wood volume was measured using Archime-
des’ principal by immersing the segment
in a beaker containing distilled water on a
balance. Once fresh wood volume was meas-
ured, the sample was dried at 103±2°C for
48 hours, allowing us to determine the wood
mass. Wood density was calculated on the
mass/fresh volume ratio basis (g/cm³).
3
3. Definition of Anatomical Features
Xylem
The anatomy of gymnosperms’ xylem was de-
scribed following the IAWA list of microscopic
features for softwood identification (Richter et
al. 2004).
Xylem anatomy of angiosperm dicotyledon-
ous was described on the basis of the IAWA
list of microscopic features for hardwood
identification (Wheeler et al. 1989). As this
list was proposed for tree and shrub xylems,
it was slightly modified to fit with the ana-
tomical features observed in the collected
samples. In particular a number of comple-
mentary features or character states were
inserted following the “Definition of anatomi-
Rosa micrantha (100x) Arbutus unedo (100x)
Astragalus echinus (200x) Rubus sanctus (200x)
Hedysarum cyprium (100x) Suaeda aegyptica (400x)
A. Crivellaro, F. H. Schweingruber, Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-37235-3_3, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
cal features” proposed by Schweingruber et al.
(2011). At the same time some IAWA features
were not considered because of their uncer-
tain determination in the observed samples.
Features not applied for coding described spe-
cies have been omitted.
The next pages give a short description of all
the xylem anatomical features detected in the
material studied. Where features were already
described in the IAWA list (Wheeler et al.
1989), we use their descriptions below. Where
we have added features that were not included
in the IAWA hardwood list, we used the nota-
tion in the form “X.#” where “X” is the modi-
fied relative IAWA character number and “#” is
a consecutive number.
Growth rings distinctness
1 - Growth ring boundaries distinct
Growth rings with an abrupt structural
change at the boundaries between
them. Growth rings number can be eas-
ily and exactly determined.
1.1 - Growth ring boundaries distinct
only along some radii
The structural change at the boundaries
between growth rings is visible only
along some radii or only in between
some parenchyma rays.
2 - Growth ring boundaries indistinct
or absent
Growth ring boundaries marked by
more or less gradual structural changes
at their poorly defined boundaries, or
not visible. Growth ring number cannot
be easily determined and their number
is uncertain.
5
2.1 - Only one ring in the observed
sample

This feature was applied for annual

plants, for perennial specimens that
did not show any annual growth ring
boundary, and for 1-year-old twig sam-
ples.

Origanum majorana (100x) Phytolacca pruinosa (100x)

Wood porosity
3 - Wood ring-porous
Wood in which the earlywood vessels
are distinctly larger than those in the
latewood of the previous and of the
same growth ring, and form a well-de-
fined zone or ring, and in which there
is an abrupt transition from earlywood
to latewood of the same growth ring.

Rosa canina (100x) Berberis cretica (100x)

4 - Wood semi-ring-porous
Wood in which the vessels in the early-
wood are distinctly larger than those
in the latewood of the previous growth
ring, but in which there is a gradual di-
ameter decrease from large earlywood
vessels to narrower latewood vessels
of the same growth ring.

Tamarix tetrandra (100x) Phlomis cypria (200x)

5 - Wood diffuse-porous
Wood in which the vessels have more
or less the same diameter throughout
the entire growth ring. This category
also includes woods in which the lat-
est formed vessels in the latewood
are considerably smaller than those of
the earlywood of the next ring, but in
which the vessel diameter is uniform
throughout most of the growth ring.
Pyrus communis (100x) Quercus coccifera (40x)

Vessel arrangement
6 - Vessels in tangential bands
Vessels arranged perpendicularly to
rays and forming discontinuous short
or continuous tangential bands. These
bands can be straight or wavy.

6 Sambucus nigra (40x) Ulmus canescens (40x)

 7 - Vessels in diagonal and/or radial
pattern

Vessels arrangement intermediates be-

tween tangential and radial (dendritic).
Transition between diagonal and den-
dritic distribution may occur within an
individual. In ring-porous woods, only
the intermediate wood and latewood
was examined.

Cercis siliquastrum (40x) Anagyris foetida (40x)

8 - Vessels in dendritic pattern

Vessels arranged in a branching radial

pattern, forming distinct zones, sepa-
rate by areas without vessels.

Rosmarinus officinalis (40x) Rhamnus alaternus (100x)

Solitary vessels
9 - Vessels predominantly solitary
Most of the vessels appear not to con-
tact another vessel. Vessels are in pairs
only by chance, most apparent pairs
actually are overlapping ends of vessel
elements as seen in transverse sections.

Vitex agnus-castus (40x) Pistacia atlantica (40x)

Vessel groupings
9.1 - Vessels in short radial multiples

Commonly radial files of 2 to 4 adjacent

vessels.

Acacia saligna (40x) Dodonaea viscosa (40x)

10 - Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or
more common

Commonly radial rows of 4 or more

adjacent vessels.

Nicotiana glauca (40x) Thevetia neriifolia (200x) 7

11 - Vessel clusters common
Groups of 3 or more vessels having
both radial and tangential contacts.
Groups about as wide radially as tan-
gentially.

Ruta chalepensis (100x) Schinus molle (100x)

Perforation plates
13 - Simple perforation plates
Perforation plates with a single circular
or elliptical opening.

Salvia fruticosa (200x) Plocama calabrica (400x)

14 - Scalariform perforation plates

Perforation plates with elongated and
parallel openings separate by one to
many mainly unbranched bars.

Fagus orientalis (400x) Platanus orientalis (400x)

15 - Scalariform perforation plates

with less than 10 bars

16 - Scalariform perforation plates

with 10-20 bars

17 - Scalariform perforation plates

with 20-40 bars

18 - Scalariform perforation plates

with more than 40 bars
Styrax officinalis (400x) Viburnum tinus (400x)

19 - Foraminate perforation plates

Perforation plates with circular or el-
liptical openings like a sieve.

8 Ephedra foeminea (400x) Ephedra nebrodensis (400x)


Vitis vinifera (100x)
Platanus orientalis (400x)
Punica granatum (400x)
Lantana camara (400x)
Pistacia terebinthus (400x)
Intervessel pit arrangement
20 - Intervessel pits scalariform
Horizontally elongated or linear in-
tervessel pits arranged in a ladder-like
series.
Smilax aspera (400x)
21 - Intervessel pits opposite
Intervessel pits arranged in short to
long horizontal rows across the length
of the vessel.
Alnus orientalis (400x)
22 - Intervessel pits alternate
Intervessel pits arranged in diagonal
rows.
Capparis spinosa (400x)
Intervessel pit diameter
24 - Intervessel pits minute (< 4 μm)
25 - Intervessel pits small (4-7 μm)
26 - Intervessel pits medium (7-10 μm)
27 - Intervessel pits large (> 10 μm)
Juglans regia (400x)
Vessel-ray pitting
30 - Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray
cell
31 - Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures
32 - Vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal/vertical apertures
Quercus coccifera (400x) 9
Vessel helical thickenings
36 - Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present

Ridges on the inner face of the vessel

element in a roughly helical pattern.
Very thin and thick helical thickenings
were marked and described.

Arbutus unedo (200x) Hippocrepis emerus (400x)

Vessels cell wall thick
39.1 - Vessels cell wall thickness more
than 2 μm
This feature is well seen if the vessels
cell wall is thicker than surrounding
cell tissues.

Astragalus echinus (400x) Dodonaea viscosa (400x)

Tangential diameter of vessel lumen

40.1 - Mean tangential diameter of

earlywood vessel lumina less
than 20 μm

Scabiosa cyprica (100x) Silene fruticosa (100x)

40.2 - Mean tangential diameter of

earlywood vessel lumina
20-50 μm

Artemisia arborescens (100x) Syringa vulgaris (100x)

41 - Mean tangential diameter of

earlywood vessel lumina
50-100 μm

10 Alhagi maurorum (100x) Alhagi graegorum (100x)

 42 - Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina 100-200 μm

Cyprinia gracilis (100x) Robinia pseudoacacia (100x)

43 - Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina more than 200
μm

Vitis vinifera (100x) Ailanthus altissima (100x)

Vessels dimorphism
45 - Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes, wood not ring-porous
Wood with a distinct bimodal distribu-
tion of tangential diameters of vessel
lumina. Feature not applied in ring-
porous wood.

Capparis spinosa (100x) Genista sphacelata (100x)

Vessels per mm2

46 - Less than 5 earlywood vessels per
mm2

47 - 5-20 vessels per mm2

Ficus sycomorus (100x) Quercus ilex (100x)

48 - 20-40 vessels per mm2

49 - 40-100 vessels per mm2

Calicotome villosa (100x) Cistus creticus (100x) 11

50.1 - 100-200 earlywood vessels per
mm2

50.2 - More than 200 earlywood

vessels per mm2

Myrtus communis (100x) Cydonia oblonga (100x)

Vessel elements length
52.1 - Earlywood vessel element length
less than 50 μm

52.2 - Earlywood vessel element length

50-100 μm

52.3 - Earlywood vessel element length

100-200 μm

Morus alba (200x) Origanum majorana (400x)

53.1 - Earlywood vessel element length

200-500 μm

53.2 - Earlywood vessel element length

more than 500 μm

Syringa vulgaris (200x) Prunus avium (100x)

Tyloses and deposits
56 - Tyloses common
Outgrowths from an adjacent ray or
axial parenchyma cell through a pit in
a vessel wall, partially or completely
blocking the vessel lumen, and of com-
mon occurrence.

Morus alba (100x) Pistacia terebinthus (100x)

58 - Gums and other deposits in heart
wood vessels

A wide range of substances in vessels

lumen was noted.

12 Tamarix tetragyna (100x) Onosis spinosa (200x)


Pistacia terebinthus (400x)
Juglans regia (400x)
Rubus sanctus (400x)
Brassica hilarionis (400x)
Lithodora hispidula (200x)
Imperforate tracheary elements
60 - Vascular/vasicentric tracheids present
Imperforate cells resembling in size,
shape, pitting, and wall ornamentation
narrow vessel elements and intergrad-
ing with the latter. Also including im-
perforate cells with numerous distinctly
bordered pits in their radial and tangen-
tial walls, present around the vessels,
and different from ground tissue fibers.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (400x)
Ground tissue fiber pits
61 - Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits
Fibers (libriform fibers) with simple pits
or bordered pits with the chambers less
than 3 μm in diameter.
Citrus sinensis (400x)
62 - Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
Fibers (or fiber-tracheids or ground tis-
sue tracheids) with bordered pits with
chambers over 3 μm in diameter.
Lomelosia cyprica (400x)
Fiber helical thickenings
64 - Helical thickenings in ground tissue
fibers
Helical thickenings in ground tissue
fibers, or ridges on the inner face of the
fiber wall in a roughly helical pattern.
Septate fibers
65 - Septate fibers present
Fibers with thin, unpitted, transverse
wall(s).
Vitis vinifera (200x) 13
Fiber bands
67 - Parenchyma-like fiber bands
alternating with ordinary fibers
Tangential bands of relatively thin-
walled fibers alternating with bands of
thicker-walled fibers.

Acer pseudoplatanus (100x) Alhagi maurorum (200x)

Fiber wall thickness

68 - Fibers very thin-walled
Fiber lumina 3 or more times wider
than the double wall thickness.

Alnus orientalis (100x) Nicotiana glauca (400x)

69 - Fibers thin- to thick-walled

Fiber lumina less than 3 times the dou-
ble wall thickness, and distinctly open.

Arbutus unedo (400x) Acer obtusifolium (400x)

70 - Fibers very thick-walled

Fiber lumina almost completely closed.

Prunus dulcis (400x) Syringa vulgaris (400x)

Tension wood
70.2 - Tension wood present
The gelatinous layer, blue-stained, is
visible in fibers. Gelatinous layers usu-
ally separate from the other cell wall
layers during sectioning.

14 Acer pseudoplatanus (200x) Salix alba (100x)

 Flat marginal fibers
70.3 - Radial flat marginal fibers
present
Thick-walled fibers that form a more or
less continuous layer of variable width
at the margins of a growth ring.

Scabiosa cyprica (400x) Lonicera etrusca (400x)

Axial parenchyma
75 - Axial parenchyma absent,
extremely rare, or not recognizable

Teucrium cypricum (200x) Micromeria myrtifolia (200x)

Apotracheal axial parenchyma

76 - Axial parenchyma diffuse
Single parenchyma strands or pairs of
strands distributed irregularly among
the fibrous elements of the wood.

Corylus avellana (200x) Elaeagnus angustifolia (200x)

77 - Axial parenchyma diffuse in

aggregates
Parenchyma strands grouped into short
discontinuous tangential or oblique
lines.

Rhus coriaria (100x) Ceratonia siliqua (100x)

Paratracheal axial parenchyma
78 - Axial parenchyma scanty parat-
racheal
Occasional parenchyma cells associ-
ated with the vessels, usually related
to paratracheal diffuse parenchyma,
which are immediately adjacent to ves-
sels.

Myrtus communis (100x) Prunus avium (200x) 15

79 - Axial parenchyma vasicentric
Parenchyma cells forming a complete
sheath of parenchyma around a soli-
tary vessel or vessel multiple.

Zyzyphus lotus (100x) Tamarix smyrnensis (200x)

79.1 - Axial parenchyma pervasive
The ground tissue consist exclusively
of thin-walled, unlignified parenchyma.

Frankenia hirsuta (200x) Silene galataea (200x)

83 - Axial parenchyma confluent

Coalescing vasicentric or aliform pa-
renchyma surrounding or to one side
of two or more vessels, and often
forming irregular bands.

Ceratonia siliqua (40x) Prosopis farcta (100x)

84 - Axial parenchyma unilateral

paratracheal

Paratracheal parenchyma forming

semi-circular hoods or caps only on
one side of the vessels and which can
extend tangentially or obliquely in an
aliform or confluent or banded pattern.

Cyprinia gracilis (100x) Melaleuca armillaris (100x)

Banded parenchyma
85 - Axial parenchyma bands more
than three cells wide

16 Ficus carica (100x) Acacia saligna (100x)

 86 - Axial parenchyma in narrow
bands or lines up to three cells
wide

Juglans regia (100x) Diospiros kaki (100x)

89 - Axial parenchyma in marginal or in
seemingly marginal bands

Parenchymatous bands that form a

more or less continuous layer of vari-
able width at the margins of a growth
ring.

Convolvulus oleifolius (200x) Achillea cretica (100x)

89.1 - Parenchyma marginal thin-walled,

dark in polarized light

Convolvulus oleifolius (200x) Cichorium spinosum (200x)

89.2 - Ring shake

Thin-walled parenchyma cells rings that
typically break along the ring bounda-
ries during sample preparation proce-
dures.

Arabis purpurea (100x) Alyssum cypricum (400x)

Ray width
96 - Rays exclusively uniseriate

Populus nigra (200x) Calluna vulgaris (400x) 17

96.1 - Rays predominantly uniseriate
90% or more rays are uniseriate, the re-
maining rays are usually 1 to 3 seriate.

Convolvulus oleifolius (100x) Thymelaea tartonraira (100x)

97 - Ray width mostly 1-3 cells

Styrax officinalis (100x) Citrus limon (100x)

98 - Larger rays commonly 4-10

seriate

Morus nigra (100x) Brassica hilarionis (100x)

99 - Larger rays commonly more than

10 seriate

Berberis cretica (40x) Rosa micrantha (40x)

Stem lobed
99.2 - Stem lobed
The external shape of the stem in
transverse section is not roundish, but
is divided in multiple parts by radial
fissures of various depth.

18 Fumana thymifolia (4x) Teucrium micropodioides (40x)

 Rays height
100 - Rays with multiseriate portion(s)
as wide as uniseriate portions

Ficus carica (100x) Diospiros kaki (400x)

100.1 - Rays confluent with ground tissue
Lateral border of ray (tangential section)
merges with axial tissue.

Salvia lanigera (200x) Lycium schweinfurthii (200x)

Rays not visible in polarized light

100.2 - Rays not visible in polarized
light

Astragalus echinus (100x) Alyssum chondrogynum (100x)

Aggregate rays
101 - Aggregate rays
Lateral border of ray (tangential section)
merges with axial tissue.

Quercus alnifolia (40x) Alnus orientalis (200x)

Rays height
102 - Ray height > 1 mm
The large rays commonly exceeding
1 mm high.

Rosa canina (40x) Hedela helix (40x) 19

Rays of two distinct sizes
103 - Rays of two distinct sizes
When viewed in tangential section, rays
form two distinct groups by their width
and usually also by their height.

Ficus sycomorus (40x) Erica sicula (100x)

Rays cellular composition
104 - All ray cells procumbent

Robinia pseudoacacia (100x) Quercus ilex (100x)

105 - All ray cells upright and/or square

Plocama calabrica (200x) Lavatera bryoniifolia (100x)

106 - Body ray cells procumbent with

one row of upright and/or
square marginal cells

Pistacia lentiscus (200x) Anagyris foetida (100x)

107 - Body ray cells procumbent with

mostly 2-4 rows of upright and/or
square marginal cells

20 Sambucus nigra (100x) Prunus domestica (100x)

 108 - Body ray cells procumbent with
over 4 rows of upright and/or
square marginal cells

Diospiros kaki (100x) Morus alba (100x)

109 - Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed through-
out the ray

Laurus nobilis (100x) Prunus armeniaca (200x)

Rays per mm
1145D\VSHUPP”PP

115 - Rays per mm 4-12/mm

Berberis cretica (100x) Ficus carica (100x)

116.1 - Rays per mm 12-20/mm

116.2 5D\VSHUPP•PP

Phlomis cypria (100x) Pterocephalus multiflorus (100x)

Wood raylessness
117 - Wood rayless
Wood with only axial elements.

Salicornia fruticosa (400x) Onosma mitis (100x) 21

Storied structure
119 - Low rays storied, high rays not
storied and axial parenchyma
and/or vessel elements storied

Genista fasselata (100x) Diospiros kaki (100x)

120 - Axial parenchyma and/or vessel
elements storied

Tamarix smyrnensis (200x) Robinia pseudoacacia (200x)

121 - Fibers storied

Tamarix smyrnensis (40x) Onosis spinosa (100x)

Oil cells
124 - Oil and/or mucilage cells
associated with ray parenchyma

Laurus nobilis (200x) Vitis vinifera (200x)

Radial canals
130 - Radial canals
Tubular intercellular duct surrounded
by an epithelium present in rays.

22 Pistacia atlantica (400x) Schinus terebinthifolius (400x)

 Included phloem
133.1 - Concentrically arranged single
vascular bundles

133.2 - Concentric continuous

Noaea mucronata (200x) Arabis purpurea (200x)

Prismatic crystals
136 - Prismatic crystals present
Solitary rhombohedral or octahedral
crystals, which are birefringent under
polarized light.

Punica granatum (200x) Acacia saligna (400x)

136.1 - Prismatic crystals in ray

parenchyma cells

141.1 - Prismatic crystals in axial

parenchyma cells

Ziziphus lotus (200x) Punica granatum (200x)

Crystal druses
144 - Druses present

145 - Druses in ray parenchyma cells

146 - Druses in axial parenchyma cells

Prunus domestica (400x) Prunus dulcis (200x)

Other crystals
149 - Raphides

151 - Styloids and/or elongate crystals

Laurus nobilis (400x) 23

Bark
The term ‘bark’ includes all the tissues outside
the vascular cambium (Trockenbrodt 1990).
In a plant also having secondary tissues, bark
includes the secondary phloem, the primary tis-
sues (cortex) that may be still present outside
the secondary phloem, the periderm, and the
dead tissues outside the periderm (Evert 2006).
Bark anatomical features have been described
in a number of papers and plant anatomy books
(Baas 2001, Carlquist 1992, Chang 1954, Evert
2006, Howard 1977, Junikka 1994, Lev-Yadun
1991, Machado et al. 2005, Manwiller 1972, Met-
calfe & Chalk 1950, Miles & Smith 2009, Trock-
enbrodt 1990, Zahur 1959). We have followed
the available literature to determine the follow-
ing codified list of features used in bark anatomy
descriptions. We used this codified list for both
Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.

Sieve tubes and sieve cells

B1 - Groups of three or more sieve tubes
or sieve cells

Groups of small sieve tubes or sieve

cells can be recognized among other
phloem cells of the axial system.

Bosea cypria (200x) Artemisia arborescens (400x)

B2 - Sieve tube or sieve cells arrange-
ment in tangential rows

Tangentially distributed sieve tube or

sieve cell groups can be recognized
among other phloem cells of the axial
system.

Fagonica cretica (400x) Caria pecan (100x)

B3 - Sieve tube or sieve cell arrange-
ment in radial rows
Sieve tubes or sieve cells arranged in
more or less long, continuous radial
rows.

24 Phytolacca pruinosa (200x) Nicotiana glauca (200x)

 B4 - Collapsed sieve tubes or sieve cells
present
Sieve tubes or sieve cells more or less
collapsed or obliterated in older parts
of the phloem.

Ziziphus spina-christi (400x) Onosis spinosa (400x)

Ray dilatation
B5 - Distinct ray dilatation
All rays become dilated. Dilatation can
occur either by a tangential increase in
the number of ray cells, by expansion
of ray cells, or both.

Prosopis farcta (200x) Astragalus echinus (40x)

B6 - Only some rays become dilated

Dilatation is more frequent in larger
rays.

Rosa damascena (100x) Acacia saligna (200x)

Bark cellular composition

B7 - Sclerenchyma cells present in both
the phloem and cortex
Both fibers and sclereids present in the
phloem and cortex.

Robinia pseudoacacia (200x) Eucaliptus gomphocephala (100x)

B8 - Phloem uniform
Sclerenchyma cells absent. Phloem
composed only of sieve tubes and pa-
renchyma cells

Lomelosia cyprica (100x) Arbutus andrachne (100x) 25

Fibers
B9 - Fibers present
Fibers more or less thick-walled, lig-
nified and elongated. In the primary
phloem, fibers usually occur in the
outermost part of the tissue. In the
secondary phloem, fibers are distrib-
uted in various patterns among other
phloem cells of the axial system.

Erica carnea (100x) Plumbago europaea (400x)

B10 - Fibers with an unlignified inner-

most layer

The innermost fiber layer unlignified,

with a structure similar to the gelati-
nous fibers in tension wood (stained
blue with astrablue)

Nerium oleander (100x) Salix alba (400x)

B11 - Fibers in radial rows

Fibers in uniseriate or multiseriate regu-
lar or irregularly formed radial rows

Phagnalon rupestre (100x) Glycyrrhiza glabra (200x)

B12 - Fibers in tangential bands

Tangentially continuous rows of fib-
ers. They alternate with bands of sieve
tubes and parenchymatous components
of the axial system.

Syringa vulgaris (100x) Vitis vinifera (200x)

B13 - Fibers scattered or irregularly

dispersed

Single fiber cells dispersed in the phlo-

em.

26 Capparis spinosa (40x) Ruta chalepensis (100x)

 B14 - Fibers grouped
Three or more fiber cells per group;
groups irregularly or tangentially dis-
tributed in the phloem.

Centaurea akamantis (100x) Lavatera bryoniifolia (100x)

Sclereids
B15 - Sclereids present
Sclereids very thick-walled, lignified
and relatively short with multilayered
secondary wall.

Tamarix tetragyna (100x) Viburnum opulus (200x)

B16 - Sclereids in radial rows

Tamarix dalmatica (100x) Fagus orientalis (100x)

B17 - Sclereids in tangential bands

Crataegus azarolus (40x) Ceratonia siliqua (100x)

B18 - Sclereids scattered or irregularly

dispersed

Olea europaea (100x) Cedrus brevifolia (40x) 27

B19 - Sclereids grouped tangentially
Sclereid groups in tangential clusters.

Brassica hilarionis (100x) Rhamnus alaternus (40x)

Crystals
B20 - Prismatic crystals present

B21 - Acicular crystals present

Celtis turnefortii (200x) Phytolacca pruinosa (400x)

B22 - Druses present

B23 - Crystal sand present

B24 - Raphides present

Silene fruticosa (400x) Taxus baccata (400x)

Secretory elements and canals

B25 - With single, irregularly dispersed
laticifers or ducts.

Euphorbia thompsonii (200x) Ficus carica (100x)

B26 - Ducts present

28 Pinus pinea (100x) Schinus terebinthifolius (400x)

 B27 - Laticifers or intercellular canals

Eucalyptus camaldulensis (400x) Citrus paradisii (400x)

Cell content
B28 - Cell contents in parenchyma cells

Eucaliptus torquata (100x) Alhagi maurorum (100x)

B29 - Layered phellem
Phellem consist of alternating bands of
sclerenchyma and parenchyma tissues.

Noaea mucronata (200x) Teucrium cypricum (100x)

Phellem
B30 - Phellem not clearly distinct
The cellular composition doesn’t per-
mit clear separation between phloem
and phellem.

Arbutus unedo (40x) Cyprinia gracilis (100x)

B31 - Phellem and/or cortex homoge-

neous

Phellem distinct, consists of regularly

arranged square or rectangular cells.

Plocama calabrica (200x) Pyrus malus (400x) 29

B32 - Phellem and/or cortex heteroge-
neous

Phellem distinct, consists of irregular

shaped cells.

Berberis cretica (100x) Aristolochia sempervirens (100x)

B33 - Phellem and/or epidermis distinct
in polarized light

Hippocrepis emerus (100x) Inula critmoides (100x)

B34 - Lignified cells in phellem and/or

epidermis

Lonicera japonica (100x) Ilex aquifolium (100x)

Phelloderm
B35 - Layered phelloderm
Phelloderm consist of alternating bands
of sclerenchyma and parenchyma tis-
sues.

Melaleuca armillaris (40x) Calicotome villosa (100x)

30
Pith
Very few publications describe the pith
structure (Carlquist 1992, Metcalfe e
Chalk 1950, Piccioli 1919, Schweingru-
ber 2007).
The following list of features was de-
fined by observing the feature in the
slides, and is not based on the avail-
able literature.

Pith not visible in polarized light

P0.1 - Pith not visible in polarized light
If the sample is observed in polarized
light the pith area becomes completely
black.

Onosma caepistosa (100x) Cyprinia gracilis (100x)

Pith shape
P1 - Pith shape round
Round or roundish to oval in transverse
section.

Calycotome villosa (40x) Plocama calabrica (100x)

P1.1 - Pith shape polygonal

Pith shape with at least four straight
sides and angles: rhomboid, hexago-
nal, irregular and star shaped. Trian-
gular and pentagonal shapes are not
described in this features (see P1.2 and
P1.3).

Lantana camara (20x) Ceratonia siliqua (40x) 31

P1.2 - Pith shape triangular
Pith shape with three straight sides and
angles.

Citrus sinensis (40x) Zygophyllum album (40x)

P1.3 - Pith shape pentagonal
Pith shape with five straight sides and
angles.

Centaurea akamantis (40x) Rubus sanctus (20x)

P1.4 - Pith shape square, rectangular

Pith shape with four straight sides and
angles.

Punica granatum (40x) Origanum dubium (100x)

Medullary sheath
P2 - Medullary sheath present
A layer of thick-walled cells surrounding
the pith.

Ailanthus altissima (40x) Prunus domestica (40x)

Pith cellular composition

P3 - Heterogenous pith
Different cell types in various distribu-
tional patterns occur among parenchy-
matic cells.

32 Eucalyptus camaldulensis (40x) Populus alba (100x)

 P3.1 - Sclereids present
Sclereids in the pith.

Myrtus communis (100x) Tamarix ahpylla (200x)

P3.2 - Fibers present
Fibers in the pith.

Eucalyptus gomphocephala (40x) Nicotiana glauca (200x)

P3.3 - Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present

Parenchyma cells with thick cell walls

present.

Brassica hilarionis (100x) Quercus ilex (100x)

P3.4 - Unlignified cells present

Pith completely or in part composed of
unlignified cell walls. In safranin-astra-
blue stained sections this cells appear
blue.

Convolvulus oleifolius (100x) Rhus coriaria (40x)

P4 - Cells dimorphic
Cells of different shape and size occur
throughout the pith.

Rosa canina (40x) Prasium majus (40x) 33

Pith cell contents
P5 - Cell contents present
Numerous kinds of substances visible
in cell lumen (gum, tannins, dark stain-
ing substances).

Pyrus syriaca (100x) Helianthemum stipulatum (200x)

Pith crystals
P6 - Prismatic crystals present

Diospiros kaki (100x) Bosea cypria (400x)

P6.1 - Acicular crystals present

P6.2 - Crystal druses present

Vitis vinifera (200x) Prunus dulcis (400x)

P6.3 - Raphides present

P6.4 - Crystal sand present

Nicotiana glauca (200x)

Pith canals
P7 - Laticifers or intercellular canals
Tube-like canals without border cells.

34 Prunus dulcis (40x) Ziziphus ziziphus (200x)

 Pith cells pits
P9 - Pits in longitudinal cell walls
(radial section)
Simple pits present in longitudinal pith
cell walls.

P9.1 - Pits in transverse cell walls

Simple pits present in transverse pith
cell walls.
Prasium majus (400x) Alnus orientalis (400x)
P9.2 - Pits grouped
Simple pits aggregated into clusters of
two or more in longitudinal and/or in
transverse cell walls.

Atriplex halimus (400x) Viburnum tinus (400x)

P9.3 - Pits of two distinct size and/or

shape

Pits of two distinct diameters or shapes

in longitudinal and/or in transverse
cell walls.

Platanus orientalis (400x) Fagonia cretica (200x)

Vascular bundles
P10 - Vascular bundles in the pith
Vascular bundles completely embed-
ded in the pith.

Cyprinia gracilis (100x) Nerium oleander (200x)

P10.1 - Vascular bundles separate

Single Vascular bundles clearly separate

from one another by rays or fibers.

Rubus discolor (40x) Berberis cretica (100x) 35

P10.2 - Vascular bundles not distinct

Calluna vulgaris (200x) Olea europaea (200x)

P12 - Tracheary elements of metaxylem

in distinct radial rows
Radial files of two or more tangentially
adjacent primary vessels easily recog-
nizable.

Cercis siliquastrum (100x) Ostrya carpinifolia (400x)

Pith cells axial arrangement

P13 - Axial cells in regular rows
Pith cells in regularly arranged vertical
rows, observed in radial section.

Clematis vitalba (200x) Lonicera japonica (200x)

36
4. Identification Keys

How to use the keys Keys structure

The objective of the identification key is to WOOD WITHOUT VESSELS (GYMNOSPERMS)...38
separate groups of species by using a few - Without resin ducts
selected unambiguous and clearly visible fea- - With resin ducts
tures. Due to intraspecific anatomical variabil-
ity, correct identification can only be achieved WOOD WITH VESSELS
through comparison with illustrations and - With included phloem.............................39
descriptions in the main section of the atlas. - Phloem strands in tangential bands
Some species were repeated two or more - Rays absent
times in the key because of their not clear - Phloem strands scattered, isolated
structure. The page numbers given in the key - Rays present
refers to the complete anatomical description - Rays heterogenous
of the species. - Rays homogenous
Coniferous woods are listed under the sec- - Rays absent
tions “Wood without vessels” and are sepa- - Without included phloem........................40
rated by resin ducts presence or absence. - Ring-porous........................................40
Additional features are given to facilitate - Rays exclusively uniseriate.............40
identification process: axial parenchyma, ray - Rays heterogenous
tracheids (“+”, present; “-”, absent), and cross- - Rays homogenous
field pitting (S, small; L, large). - Larger rays up to 3 seriate..............40
Dicotyledons wood and Monocotyledons plant - Rays heterogenous
body are grouped together under the section - Rays homogenous
“Wood with vessels”. They are divided first by - Larger rays more than 4 seriate......41
presence or absence of included phloem. In - Rays heterogenous
those species with successive cambia, phloem - Rays homogenous
strands can be arranged in continuous tan- - Semi-ring-porous...............................42
gential bands, or in single, scattered vascular - Rays exclusively uniseriate.............42
bundles as seen in transverse section. Then - Rays heterogenous
species are then classified by raylessness and - Rays homogenous
ray type (heterogeneous or homogeneous). - Larger rays up to 3 seriate.............42
In woods without included phloem wood po- - Rays heterogenous
rosity is the first classification factor (ring-po- - Rays homogenous
rous, semi-ring-porous, and diffuse-porous). - Larger rays more than 4 seriate.....43
Within each of the tree groups raylessness - Rays heterogenous
and ray width were then applied as grouping - Rays homogenous
factors: rays are absent, exclusively uniseriate - Diffuse-porous...................................44
(90% or more), up to 3 cells wide, and more - Wood rayless..................................44
than 4 cells wide. Ray width classification - Rays exclusively uniseriate.............45
in the identification key always refers to the - Rays heterogenous
larger rays. Ray type is also specified (heter- - Rays homogenous
ogenous and homogenous). Within each of - Larger rays up to 3 seriate..............46
the resulting groups additional features are - Rays heterogenous
given for each specie in order to help identifi- - Rays homogenous
cation. Those additional features refer to per- - Larger rays more than 4 seriate......47
foration plates (13, simple; 14, scalariform; - Rays heterogenous
19, foraminate), helical thickenings (“+”, - Rays homogenous
present; “-”, absent), and vessel groupings (9,
vessels predominantly solitary; 10, vessels in
radial multiples; 11, vessel clusters common).

A. Crivellaro, F. H. Schweingruber, Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-37235-3_4, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
37
Wood without vessels (Gymnosperms)
The major mass of conifers wood consists of tracheids. Growth ring boundaries are usually
distinct. Axial parenchyma is present in some species. Axial and radial resin canals are pre-
sent or absent. Rays are mostly uniseriate.

Wood of a conifer without resin ducts. Wood of a conifer with resin ducts.

Cross-field pitting
Axial parenchyma
Ray tracheids

Species pg.

Without resin ducts + - S Cupressus sempervirens..............................54

+ - S Juniperus excelsa........................................56
+ - S Juniperus foetidissima.................................58
+ - S Juniperus oxycedrus....................................60
+ - S Juniperus phoenicea....................................62
- - S Taxus baccata.............................................76
- + S Cedrus brevifolia.........................................64
- + S Cedrus libani...............................................66

With resin ducts - + S Pinus brutia.................................................68

- + L Pinus nigra..................................................72
- + S Pinus halepensis..........................................70
- + S Pinus pinea..................................................74

38
Wood with vessels and with included phloem
Species with successive cambia are separated by phloem strands arranged in continuous tan-
gential bands, or in single, scattered vascular bundles as seen in transverse section.
We are aware about the great anatomical variability within plants with successive cambia.

Successive cambia with phloem strands in tangential bands. Single vascular bunbles surrounded by parenchyma cells.

Helical thickenings
Perforation plates

Vessels grouping

Species pg.

Phloem strands in tangential bands

Rays absent 13 - 11 Atriplex semibaccata.................................214
13 - 11 Salicornia fruticosa...................................220
13 - 9 Sarcocornia perennis................................222

Phloem strands scattered and/or isolated

Rays present
Rays heterogeneous 13 - 9 Convolvulus dorycnium.............................248
13 - 9 Bosea cypria.............................................100

Rays homogeneous 13 - 10 Convolvulus oleifolius ...............250, 252, 254

Rays absent 13 - 11 Arthrocnemum macrostachyum................208

13 - 11 Atriplex halimus........................................210
13 - 11 Atriplex portulacoides...............................212
13 - 11 Noaea mucronata......................................218
13 - 10 Suaeda aegyptica......................................224
13 + 11 Halocnemum strobilaceum........................216
13 + 11 Suaeda vera..............................................226
13 + 11 Ruscus aculeatus.........................................90
13 + 9 Asparagus acutifolius.................................86
13 + 9 Asparagus stipularis...................................87
13 + 9 Arundo donax.............................................88
13 + 9 Phragmites australis...................................89
13 + 9 Smilax aspera............................................91

39
Wood with vessels and without included phloem
Wood with a great variation in type, size, form and arrangement of its cell types. Earlywood ves-
sels can be much larger than those of the latewood (ring-porous woods), or vessels diameter can
be uniform throughout the growth ring (diffuse-porous woods). Intermediate pattern is frequent
(semi-ring-porous woods). Axial parenchyma and rays may or may not be present.
Ring-porous wood. Diffure-porous wood.

Helical thickenings
Perforation plates

Vessels grouping

Species pg.

Ring-porous
Rays exclusively uniseriate
Rays heterogeneous
13 - 9 Cyprinia gracilis........................................126
13 - 9 Hypericum hircinum..................................330
13 + 9; 11 Pterocephalus multiflorus..........................262

Rays homogeneous 13 - 9 Castanea sativa.........................................312

13 - 9; 10 Satureja thymbra......................................378
13 + 9 Rubia tenuifolia.........................................512

Larger rays up to 3 seriate

Rays heterogeneous
13 - 9 Convolvulus oleifolius................................254
13 - 9 Salvia willeana..........................................376
13 - 9 Fraxinus angustifolia.................................430
13 - 9; 11 Fraxinus ornus..........................................432
13 - 11 Capparis spinosa.......................................196
13 - 11 Teucrium divaricatum...............................388
13 + 9 Acanthoprasium integrifolium...................334
13 + 9; 11 Cotinus coggygria.....................................102
13 + 9; 11 Hypericum confertum................................328
13 + 11 Pistacia atlantica.......................................104
13 + 11 Pistacia lentiscus.......................................106
13 + 11 Pistacia terebinthus...................................108
13 + 11 Rhus coriaria.............................................110

40

(Larger rays up to 3 seriate)
(Rays heterogeneous)
Rays homogeneous
Larger rays more than 4 seriate
Rays heterogeneous
Rays homogeneous
Helical thickenings
Perforation plates
Vessels grouping
Species pg.
13 + 11 Celtis tournefortii......................................194
13 + 11 Genista fasselata......................................298
13 + 11 Phlomis cypria subsp. cypria.....................360
13 + 11 Phlomis cypria var. occidentalis.................362
13 - 9 Fraxinus angustifolia.................................430
13 + 9; 11 Teucrium creticum....................................384
13 + 11 Robinia pseudoacacia................................308
19 - 9 Ephedra nebrodensis...................................82
13 - 9 Aristolochia sempervirens.........................124
13 - 9 Onosis spinosa subsp. leisosperma............306
13 - 9 Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris.............324
13 - 9 Rubus sanctus...........................................500
13 - 9; 11 Rubus discolor...........................................498
13 - 9; 11 Vitis vinifera..............................................568
13 - 11 Hedera helix..............................................122
13 - 11 Astragalus echinus subsp. echinus ...........292
13 - 11 Morus nigra...............................................416
13 - 11 Clematis vitalba........................................454
13 + 9 Rosa micrantha.........................................496
13 + 9; 1 Prunus armeniaca.....................................476
13 + 9; 11 Celtis australis..........................................192
13 + 9; 11 Elaeagnus angustifolia..............................266
13 + 9; 11 Morus alba................................................414
13 + 9; 11 Prunus dulcis.............................................482
13 + 9; 11 Rosa canina...............................................492
13 + 9; 11 Rosa damascena.......................................494
13 + 9; 11 Ailanthus altissima....................................538
13 + 11 Pistacia atlantica.......................................104
13 + 11 Berberis cretica.........................................154
13 + 11 Celtis tournefortii......................................194
13 + 11 Lonicera japonica......................................200
13 - 9 Quercus cerris..........................................318
13 - 9 Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris.............324
13 + 11 Cercis siliquastrum...................................296
13 + 11 Robinia pseudoacacia................................308
13 + 11 Ulmus canescens.......................................562
41

Perforation plates
Semi-ring-porous
Rays exclusively uniseriate
Rays heterogeneous
Rays homogeneous
Larger rays up to 3 seriate
Rays heterogeneous
42
Helical thickenings
Vessels grouping
Species pg.
13 - 9 Lomelosia cyprica......................................258
13 - 9 Lavandula stoaechas.................................340
13 - 9 Salix alba..................................................526
13 - 9 Lycium schweinfurtii.................................452
13 - 9; 11 Cistus salvifolius.......................................236
13 - 9; 11 Fumana thymifolia....................................240
13 - 9; 11 Micromeria chionistrae.............................342
13 - 9; 11 Micromeria myrtinifolia.............................346
13 - 9; 11 Polygonum equisetiforme..........................450
13 - 9; 11 Thymelaea hirsuta....................................558
13 - 11 Micromeria microphylla.............................344
13 - 11 Asperula cypria.........................................506
13 + 9; 11 Thymelaea tartoriaria...............................560
13 + 11 Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus.....260
13 - 9 Helianthemum obtusifolium......................242
13 - 9 Origanum dubium.....................................354
13 - 9 Teucrium micropodioides..........................394
13 - 9 Thymus intiger..........................................398
13 - 9 Lycium schweinfurtii.................................542
13 - 9; 11 Satureja thymbra......................................378
13 - 11 Origanum cordifolium...............................352
13 + 9 Teucrium kyreniae....................................392
13 + 9 Rubia tenuifolia.........................................512
13 + 11 Teucrium cyprium.....................................386
13 + 11 Teucrium kotschyannum...........................390
19 - 9 Ephedra foeminea.......................................80
14 + 9; 11 Corylus avellana........................................158
14 + 9; 11 Viburnum tinus...........................................98
13 - 9 Cistus creticus...........................................228
13 - 9 Cistus ladanifer.........................................230
13 - 9 Helianthemum stipulatum.........................244
13 - 9 Prasium majus..........................................366
13 - 9 Salvia willeana..........................................376
13 - 9 Callistemon lanceolatus.............................418
13 - 9 Syringa vulgaris........................................438
13 - 9 Crataegus mongyna..................................470
13 - 9 Pyracantha coccinea.................................484
13 - 9 Pyrus syriaca.............................................490
13 - 9 Citrus aurantium.......................................514
13 - 9 Origanum majorana.................................356
13 - 9 Salvia fruticosa.........................................372
13 - 9 Pyrus communis........................................486

(Larger rays up to 3 seriate)
(Rays heterogeneous)
Rays homogeneous
Larger rays more than 4 seriate
Rays heterogeneous
Helical thickenings
Perforation plates
Vessels grouping
Species pg.
13 - 9; 11 Pyrus malus..............................................488
13 - 10 Nicotiana glauca.......................................544
13 - 11 Ptilostemon chamapeuce...........................152
13 - 11 Capparis spinosa ......................................196
13 - 11 Convolvulus dorycnium..............................248
13 - 11 Anagyris foetida........................................288
13 - 11 Teucrium divaricatum subsp. canescens....388
13 - 11 Prosopis farcta..........................................408
13 + 9 Hippocrepis emerus...................................304
13 + 9 Ziziphus spina-christi.................................462
13 + 9 Cotoneaster nummuralis...........................466
13 + 9 Crataegus azarolus...................................468
13 + 9 Cydonia oblonga.......................................474
13 + 9 Citrus limon..............................................516
13 + 9; 11 Ostrya carpinifolia....................................160
13 + 9; 11 Prunus avium............................................478
13 + 9; 11 Artemisia arborescens...............................134
13 + 9; 11 Arbutus andrachne...................................268
13 + 9; 11 Spartium junceum.....................................310
13 + 9; 11 Hypericum confertum subsp. stenobotrys...328
13 + 9; 11 Phlomis brevibracteata.............................358
13 + 9; 11 Sorbus cretica...........................................504
13 + 11 Arbutus unedo...........................................270
13 + 11 Calycotome villosa.....................................294
13 + 11 Genista fasselata......................................298
13 + 11 Lavandula angustifolia..............................338
13 + 11 Phlomis cypria subsp. cypria.....................360
13 + 11 Phlomis cypria subsp. occidentalis............362
13 + 11 Phlomis lunariifolia...................................364
13 + 11 Rosmarinus officinalis...............................368
13 + 11 Salvia dominica.........................................270
13 - 9 Sideritis cypria..........................................382
13 - 9; 11 Odontites linkii..........................................440
13 - 9; 11 Plocama calabrica.....................................508
13 + 9; 11 Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. obtusifolium..262
13 + 9; 11 Spartium junceum.....................................310
13 + 9; 11 Teucrium creticum....................................384
14 - 9; 11 Styrax officinalis.......................................548
13 - 9 Aristolochia sempervirens.........................124
13 - 9 Dittrichia viscosa......................................140
13 - 9 Phagnalon rupestre..................................150
13 - 9 Erica arborea............................................274
43
 Helical thickenings
Perforation plates

Vessels grouping
Species pg.

(Larger rays more than 4 seriate)

(Rays heterogeneous)
Larger rays more than 4 seriate
Rays homogeneous
13 - 9 Rubus sanctus...........................................500
13 - 9 Tamarix tetragyna....................................554
13 - 9; 11 Rubus discolor...........................................498
13 - 9; 11 Citrus sinensis...........................................518
13 - 9; 11 Tamarix smyrnensis..................................552
13 - 9; 11 Tamarix tetrandra....................................556
13 - 11 Hedera helix..............................................122
13 - 11 Hirtellina lobelii.........................................146
13 - 11 Convolvulus dorycnium.............................248
13 - 11 Argyrolobium uniflorum............................290
13 - 11 Astragalus echinus subsp. echinus...........292
13 - 11 Sarcopoterium spinosum...........................502
13 + 9 Prunus domestica......................................480
13 + 9; 11 Helichrysum italicum................................142
13 + 9; 11 Prunus dulcis............................................482
13 + 9; 11 Rosa damascena.......................................494
13 + 11 Lithodora hispidula...................................164
13 + 11 Lonicera japonica......................................200
13 + 11 Nepeta trodii.............................................350
13 + 11 Tamarix dalmatica....................................550
13 - 9 Juglans regia.............................................332

Diffuse-porous
Wood rayless 13 - 9 Alyssum troodi..........................................178
13 - 9 Arabis purpurea........................................182
13 - 9 Erysimum kykkoticum...............................186
13 - 9 Silene galatea............................................206
13 - 9 Frankenia hirsuta......................................326
13 - 9; 11 Alyssum akamasicum................................172
13 - 9; 11 Dianthus cyprius.......................................202
13 - 9; 11 Onosma mitis............................................170
13 - 9; 11 Arabis cypria............................................180
13 - 9; 11 Salicornia fruticosa...................................220
13 - 9; 11 Sarcocornia perennis................................222
13 - 11 Onosma fruticosa......................................168
13 - 11 Arthrocnemum macrostachyum................208
13 - 11 Atriplex halimus........................................210
13 - 11 Atriplex portulacoides...............................212
13 - 11 Atriplex semibaccata.................................214
13 - 11 Noaea mucronata.....................................218
13 + 9 Silene fruticosa..........................................204
13 + 9 Plumbago europaea..................................448
13 + 9; 11 Suaeda vera..............................................226
13 + 11 Onosma caespitosa...................................166
13 + 11 Halocnemum strobilaceum........................216

44

Perforation plates
Rays exclusively uniseriate
Rays heterogeneous
Rays homogeneous
Helical thickenings
Vessels grouping
Species pg.
14 - 9; 11 Viburnum opulus........................................96
13 - 9 Helianthemum syriacum...........................246
13 - 9 Calluna vulgaris........................................272
13 - 9 Eucalyptus torquata..................................424
13 - 9 Melaleuca armillaris..................................426
13 - 9 Ziziphus lotus............................................460
13 - 9 Salix alba..................................................526
13 - 9 Lycium schweinfurtii.................................542
13 - 9 Fagonia cretica.........................................570
13 - 9; 11 Punica granatum......................................402
13 - 9; 11 Fumana thymifolia....................................240
13 - 9; 11 Convolvulus oleifolius var. oleifolius...........252
13 - 10 Euphorbia thompsonii................................280
13 - 10; 11 Thymelaea hirsuta....................................558
13 - 11 Calamintha incana....................................336
13 - 11 Micromeria microphylla............................344
13 - 11 Thymbra capitata.....................................396
13 - 11 Asperula cypria.........................................506
13 + 10 Dodonaea viscosa.....................................534
13 + 11 Lycium ferocissimum................................540
14 - 10; 11 Alnus orientalis.........................................156
13 - 9 Fumana arabica........................................238
13 - 9 Helianthemum obtusifolium......................242
13 - 9 Scutellaria sibthorpii.................................380
13 - 9 Teucrium micropodioides..........................394
13 - 9 Thymus intiger..........................................398
13 - 9 Lycium schweinfurtii.................................542
13 - 9; 11 Micromeria nervosa..................................348
13 - 9; 11 Salvia lanigera..........................................374
13 - 9; 11 Aesculus hippocastanum...........................532
13 - 10 Euphorbia hierosolymitan.........................278
13 - 10 Populus alba.............................................522
13 - 10 Populus nigra............................................524
13 - 11 Origanum cordifolium...............................352
13 + 9 Teucrium kyreniae....................................392
13 + 9 Plumbago europaea..................................448
13 + 9 Cydonia oblonga.......................................474
13 + 9 Rubia laurae.............................................510
13 + 9; 11 Vinca major..............................................118
13 + 11 Teucrium cyprium.....................................386
45

Perforation plates
Larger rays up to 3 seriate
Rays heterogeneous
46
Helical thickenings
Vessels grouping
Species pg.
14 - 9 Buxus sempervirens..................................188
14 - 9 Cornus sanguinea.....................................256
14 - 9 Laurus nobilis...........................................398
14 + 9; 11 Corylus avellana.......................................158
14 + 9; 11 Viburnum tinus...........................................98
13 - 9 Cistus creticus...........................................228
13 - 9 Cistus parvifolius......................................234
13 - 9 Helianthemum stipulatum.........................244
13 - 9 Helianthemum syriacum...........................246
13 - 9 Convolvulus oleifolius var. desertii............250
13 - 9 Diospiros kaki...........................................264
13 - 9 Ricunus communis....................................282
13 - 9 Alhagi graegorum.....................................284
13 - 9 Alhagi maurorum.....................................286
13 - 9 Laurus nobilis...........................................398
13 - 9 Ficus carica...............................................410
13 - 9 Eucalyptus gomphocephala.......................422
13 - 9 Myrtus communis......................................428
13 - 9 Ziziphus ziziphus.......................................464
13 - 9 Crataegus mongyna..................................470
13 - 9 Crataegus x sinaica...................................472
13 - 9 Pyracantha coccinea.................................484
13 - 9 Pyrus syriaca............................................490
13 - 9 Citrus aurantium......................................514
13 - 9; 11 Nerium oleander.......................................116
13 - 9; 11 Glycirrhiza glabra.....................................300
13 - 9; 11 Origanum majorana.................................356
13 - 9; 11 Oleae europaea.........................................434
13 - 9; 11 Pyrus communis........................................486
13 - 9; 11 Pyrus malus..............................................488
13 - 9; 11 Lantana camara........................................564
13 - 10 Suaeda aegyptiaca....................................224
13 - 10 Nicotiana glauca.......................................544
13 - 10; 11 Cichorium spinosum..................................138
13 - 11 Sambucus nigra..........................................94
13 - 11 Ptilostemon chamapeuce...........................152
13 - 11 Ceratonia siliqua.......................................190
13 - 11 Phillyrea latifolia.......................................436
13 - 11 Rhamnus alaternus...................................456
13 - 11 Withania somnifera...................................546
13 + 9 Cistus monspelliensis.................................232
13 + 9 Hippocrepis emerus...................................304
13 + 9 Ziziphus spina-christi................................462
13 + 9 Cotoneaster nummuralis...........................466
13 + 9 Crataegus azarolus...................................468
13 + 9 Citrus limon..............................................516
 Helical thickenings
Perforation plates

Vessels grouping
Species pg.

(Rays heterogeneous) 13 + 9 Vitex agnus-castus....................................566

13 + 9 Zygophyllum album...................................572
13 + 9; 11 Schinus terebinthifolia...............................114
13 + 9; 11 Acer pseudoplatanus.................................530
13 + 9; 11 Artemisia arborescens..............................134
13 + 9; 11 Lonicera etrusca.......................................198
13 + 9; 11 Arbutus andrachne...................................268
13 + 9; 11 Sorbus cretica...........................................504
13 + 10 Plumbago auriculata.................................446
13 + 10 Dodonaea viscosa......................................534
13 + 10; 11 Schinus molle............................................112
13 + 11 Arbutus unedo...........................................270
13 + 11 Lavandula angustifolia..............................338
13 + 11 Salvia dominica.........................................370
13 + 11 Rhamnus lycioides.....................................458
13 + 11 Ruta chalepensis.......................................520

Rays homogeneous 13 - 9 Convolvulus oleifolius var. desertii............250

13 - 9 Eucalyptus camaldulensis..........................420
13 - 9 Phytolacca pruinosa..................................442
13 - 9; 11 Acacia saligna...........................................406
13 - 9; 11 Odontites linkii..........................................440
13 - 11 Alyssum cypricum.....................................176
13 + 9; 11 Acer pseudoplatanus.................................530

Larger rays more than 4 seriate

Rays homogeneous 13 - 9 Quercus ilex..............................................322
13 - 11 Ambrosia maritima...................................132
13 + 9 Acer obtusifolium......................................528

47
5. Anatomical Description of Species

This chapter contains anatomical

descriptions of stem and twig xylem,
as well as the bark and pith regions
of the twigs of 264 species belonging
to 71 families. Species are listed in
alphabetical order within families.
For a complete species list refer to
page 579.

Anatomical description of species

A. Crivellaro, F. H. Schweingruber, Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-37235-3_5, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
How to read species descriptions

Whole plant or plant detail photograph

Botanical name with synonyms

English common name

Plant description of habitus,

plant height, and ecological
preferences

Distribution map over the

Mediterranean basin or on
Cyprus for endemic species

Twig bark anatomical descrip-

tion

Twig xylem description in

relation to its differences to
stem wood anatomy

Twig pith anatomical descrip-

tion

Photomicrographs with scale bars

in microns (0,001 mm)

50
Codified anatomical feature descriptions
for stem wood, twig bark and pith

Description of anatomical features visible

in stem wood transverse section

Family name

Description of anatomical
features visible in stem
wood radial section

Description of anatomical
features visible in stem
wood tangential section

Botanical name

Basic density values for stem wood

51
Gymnosperms

This section contains anatomical de-

scriptions of stem and twig xylem, as
well as the bark and pith regions of
12 coniferous species belonging to 3
families.

Gymnosperms
 Cupressus sempervirens L.
Mediterranean Cypress
Cupressaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, resinous tree up to 30 m
high, with broad (var. horizontalis) or
narrowly conical crown (var. sempervi-
rens). Leaves scale-like, 2–5 mm long.
Native to eastern Mediterranean and
northern Iran. Indigenous to Cyprus,
abundantly planted (0-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in radial rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and
in cortex. Fibers in single tangential
rows in phloem, scattered and irregu-
larly dispersed in cortex. Crystal sand
present, mostly in rays. Phellem ho-
mogeneous, distinct in polarized light.
Cortex consist of thin-walled unligni-
fied parenchyma cells.

Xylem
Rays exclusively uniseriate. Average
ray height very low (no more than 4
cells).
›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
Cupressus sempervirens L.

parenchyma cells present. Cells dimor-

phic. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Pits of two distinct
sizes. Vascular bundles not clearly
distinct.

›T

54
Stem xylem: 40 44 50 55 56 72 73 74 76 80 85 87 92 98 104 108
Twig bark: B3 B7 B9 B12 B23 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.2

Cupressaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lumen
diameter). Axial parenchyma present,
diffuse and tangentially zonate.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood
tracheids predominantly uniseriate.
Average tracheids length short (less
than 3000 μm). Axial parenchyma
transverse end walls smooth. Ray tra-
cheids absent or very rare. End walls
of ray parenchyma cells smooth. Hori-
zontal walls of ray parenchyma cells
smooth (unpitted). Cross-field pitting
piceoid. Number of pits per earlywood
cross-field in earlywood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height high (from 16 to 30
Cupressus sempervirens L.
cells). Some rays in part 2-3 seriate.

Wood basic density: 0,47 g/cm³

›T ›T

55
 Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. subsp. excelsa
Grecian Juniper
Cupressaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 20 high. Crown at
first pyramidal, then broadly branched
in mature trees. Leaves scale-like, very
small. Fruit a berry-like cone with 5-9
seeds. Native to Balkans, Turkey and
eastward as far as Afghanistan. In-
digenous to Cyprus, restricted to the
Troodos range (1200-1610 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in radial rows.
Collapsed sieve cells present. Distinct
ray dilatation in cortex. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows in phloem, scatter and
irregularly dispersed in cortex. Crystal
sand present. With large resin ducts in
cortex. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light. Layered phellem.
Junipers excelsa M. Bieb. subsp. excelsa

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Pits in
transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.

›T

56
Stem xylem: 40 44 48 53 55 56 72 73 78 80 86 87 93 98 102 107 111
Twig bark: B3 B4 B5 B7 B9 B12 B23 B25 B26 B31 B33 B29
Pith: P1.2 P3 P3.3 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Cupressaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct.
Intercellular spaces throughout the
wood visible in transverse section,
mainly in earlywood. Latewood trac-
heids thick-walled (double wall thick-
ness larger than radial lumen diame-
ter). Axial parenchyma present, diffuse.
Traumatic resin canals present.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood trac-
heids predominantly uniseriate. Organ-
ic deposit in heartwood tracheids pre-
sent. Axial parenchyma transverse end
walls nodular. Ray tracheids absent or
very rare. End walls of ray parenchyma
cells distinctly pitted. Horizontal walls
of ray parenchyma cells smooth (un-
pitted). Cross-field pitting cupressoid.
Number of pits per cross-field in early-
wood 1-3.

Junipers excelsa M. Bieb. subsp. excelsa

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height very low (up to 9
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

57
 Juniperus foetidissima Willd.
Stincking Juniper, Foetid Juniper
Cupressaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 20 m high, with
conical or pyramidal crown. Leaves
scale-like, very small, awl-shaped in
young shoots. Fruit a berry-like cone
with 1-3 seeds. Native to Greece, Tur-
key, Caucasia and Syria. Indigenous
to Cyprus, restricted to the Troodos
range (1400-1950 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in tangential rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential rows in
phloem, scattered or irregularly dis-
persed in cortex. Crystal sand present.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in
polarized light. Layered phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Juniperus foetidissima Willd.

Pith shape round to elongated. Thick-

walled parenchyma cells present. Pits
of two distinct size in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles not clearly distinct.

›T ›T

58
Stem xylem: 40 44 48 54 56 72 73 74 76 80 86 88 93 98 102 103 107
Twig bark: B2 B7 B9 B12 B13 B23 B31 B33 B29 B35
Pith: P1 P3.3 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.2

Cupressaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thin-walled (double
wall thickness less than radial lumen
diameter). Axial parenchyma present,
diffuse and tangentially zonate.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood
tracheids predominantly uniseriate.
Organic deposit in heartwood tracheids
present. Axial parenchyma transverse
end walls smooth. Ray tracheids absent
or very rare. End walls of ray parenchy-
ma cells distinctly pitted. Horizontal
walls of ray parenchyma cells distinctly
pitted. Cross-field pitting cupressoid.
Number of pits per cross-field in early-
wood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section Juniperus foetidissima Willd.

Average ray height very low (up to 4
cells) to medium (5 to 15 cells). Rays
exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

59
 Juniperus oxycedrus L.
Prickly Juniper
Cupressaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or tree up to 8 m high,
with rounded or conical crown. Leaves
in whorls of 3, awl-shaped. Fruit a ber-
ry-like cone, reddish-brown. Indigenous
to Cyprus, growing on rocky mountain-
sides (700-1500 m alt.). Widely distrib-
uted from southern Europe eastward to
the Caucasus and Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in radial rows.
Collapsed sieve cells present. Distinct
ray dilatation. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Fibers in tan-
gential rows in phloem, scattered and
irregularly dispersed in cortex. Crystal
sand present. Ducts in cortex. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Pits in transverse and in
Juniperus oxycedrus L.

longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-

dles not distinct.

›T

60
Stem xylem: 40 44 48 55 56 72 73 74 79 86 93 98 102 107
Twig bark: B5 B7 B9 B12 B13 B23 B25 B26 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Cupressaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct.
Latewood tracheids thick-walled (dou-
ble wall thickness larger than radial
lumen diameter). Axial parenchyma
present, diffuse and tangentially zon-
ate.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood
tracheids predominantly uniseriate.
Organic deposit in heartwood tracheids
present. Ray tracheids commonly pre-
sent. End walls of ray parenchyma cells
distinctly pitted. Cross-field pitting
cupressoid. Number of pits per cross-
field in earlywood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height very low (up to 4
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Juniperus oxycedrus L.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

61
 Juniperus phoenicea L.
Phoenician Juniper
Cupressaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or tree up to 10 high,
with conical crown. Leaves scale-like,
very small and awl-shaped in young
shoots. Fruit a berry-like cone, dark
reddish-brown. Widely distributed in
the Mediterranean region. Indigenous
to Cyprus, occurring in coastal maquis
and sand dunes (0-500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell and collapsed
sieve cells present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers present, in tan-
gential lines in phloem, scattered or
irregularly dispersed in cortex. Crystal
sand present. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light. Layered
phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles not distinct.
Juniperus phoenicea L.

›T

62
Stem xylem: 40 44 55 56 72 74 76 80 86 88 93 98 102 107
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B12 B13 B23 B31 B33 B29
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Cupressaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lumen
diameter). Axial parenchyma present,
tangentially zonate.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood
tracheids predominantly uniseriate.
Axial parenchyma transverse end walls
smooth. Ray tracheids absent or very
rare. End and horizontal walls of ray
parenchyma cells distinctly pitted.
Cross-field pitting cupressoid. Number
of pits per cross-field in earlywood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height very low (up to 4
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Juniperus phoenicea L.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

63
 Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) A. Henry
Cyprus Cedar
Pinaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 30 m high. Crown
at first pyramidal, gradually becoming
broad, with characteristic horizontal
branching in older trees. Leaves needle-
like, whorled, 10-15 mm in length.
Cones woody barrel-shaped. Endemic to
Cyprus, restricted to the Cedar Valley
(900-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve cells present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Sclereids and fibers scattered or irreg-
ularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals and
crystal sand present. With resin canals
in cortex. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Phellem distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) Henry

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Unlignified cells present. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles not dis-
tinct.

64
Stem xylem: 40 44 55 57 79 81 86 88 94 98 104 107
Twig bark: B4 B7 B15 B18 B20 B23 B25 B26 B28 B33
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Pinaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lumen
diameter).

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood tra-
cheids predominantly uniseriate. Torus
in earlywood tracheids’ pits scalloped.
Ray tracheids commonly present. Cell
walls of ray tracheids smooth. End
walls of ray parenchyma cells distinctly
pitted. Horizontal walls of ray paren-
chyma cells distinctly pitted. Cross-
field pitting taxodioid. Number of pits
per cross-field in earlywood 1-3.

Tangential section Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) Henry

Average ray height high (from 16 to 30
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,51 g/cm³

65
 Cedrus libani A.Rich.
Lebanese Cedar
Pinaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An evergreen tree growing up to 40 m
high. The crown is conic when young,
becoming broadly tabular with age
with fairly level branches. The leaves
are needle-like, spaced out on the long
shoots, and in clusters of 15-45 on the
shoots; they are 5-30 mm in length. On
Cyprus it grows at 1000-1525 m alt.

Photo: Ori Fragman-Sapir

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in tangential rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential rows in
phloem. Sclereids scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed in cortex. Prismatic
crystals present. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light. Ligni-
fied cells in phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Axial cells in regular
Cedrus libani A.Rich.

rows (radial section).

›T

66
Stem xylem: 40 44 50 55 56 57 79 81 86 88 94 98 104 105 107 108 111 118 119 122
Twig bark: B2 B7 B9 B12 B15 B18 B20 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Pinaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lu-
men diameter). Traumatic resin canals
present.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood
tracheids predominantly uniseriate.
Average tracheids length short (less
than 3000 μm). Torus in earlywood
tracheids’ pits scalloped. Ray trac-
heids commonly present. Cell walls
of ray tracheids smooth. End walls of
ray parenchyma cells distinctly pitted.
Horizontal walls of ray parenchyma
cells distinctly pitted. Cross-field pit-
ting taxodioid, number of pits per
cross-field in earlywood 1-3. Prismatic
crystals in rays.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height high to very high
(more than 30 cells). Rays uniseriate
and in part 2-3 seriate.
Cedrus libani A.Rich.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

67
 Pinus brutia Ten.
Calabrian Pine
Pinaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, resinous tree up to 40 m
high. Leaves needle-like, bright green
or greyish–green, 11-15 cm long. In-
digenous to Cyprus, it is the dominant
forest species on the island, with a
wide distribution on a variety of habi-
tats (0-1400 m alt.). Native to southern
Italy, eastward to northern Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell and collapsed
sieve cells present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Prismatic
crystals present. With resin ducts cor-
tex. Cell content in parenchyma cells.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Heterogenous
pith, Sclereids present. Prismatic crys-
tals present. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct.
Pinus brutia Ten.

›T ›T

68
Stem xylem: 40 44 54 56 79 82 86 88 93 94 98 103 107 109 110 117 118 119 124
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B20 B25 B26 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3 P3.1 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Pinaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thin-walled (double wall
thickness less than radial lumen diam-
eter). Axial intercellular resin canals
present. Epithelial cells thin-walled.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood tra-
cheids predominantly uniseriate. Ray
tracheids commonly present. Cell walls
of ray tracheids dentate. End walls of
ray parenchyma cells distinctly pitted.
Horizontal walls of ray parenchyma
cells distinctly pitted. Cross-field pit-
ting cupressoid to taxodioid. Number
of pits per cross-field in earlywood 1-3.
Prismatic crystals located in cells asso-
ciated with intercellular canals.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height medium (5 to 15
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate. Ra-
dial intercellular resin canals present.
Pinus brutia Ten.

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

69
 Pinus halepensis L.
Aleppo Pine, Jerusalem Pine
Pinaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A small to medium-size tree, 15–25 m
high. The needle-like leaves are very
slender, distinctly yellowish green and
produced in pairs. The cones are nar-
row conic, 5–12 cm long. It generally
grows at low altitudes, mostly from sea
level to 200 meters, but can grow at an
altitude of up to 1000 m.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in tangential rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals present.
With ducts in cortex.

Xylem
As stem wood.

Pith
No slide available.
Pinus halepensis L.

›T

70
Stem xylem: 40 44 55 56 79 82 86 88 91 98 103 107 109 110 117
Twig bark: B1 B2 B7 B9 B13 B20 B25 B26 B31 B33
Pith: No slide available.

Pinaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lu-
men diameter). Axial intercellular resin
canals present. Epithelial cells thin-
walled.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood tra-
cheids predominantly uniseriate. Ray
tracheids commonly present. Cell walls
of ray tracheids dentate. End walls of
ray parenchyma cells distinctly pitted.
Horizontal walls of ray parenchyma
cells distinctly pitted. Cross-field pit-
ting pinoid. Number of pits per cross-
field in earlywood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height medium (5 to 15
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate. Ra-
dial intercellular resin canals present.
Pinus halepensis L.

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

71
 Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana (D.Don) Holmboe
Black Pine, Palla’s Pine
Pinaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 40 m high. Leaves
spirally arranged, of two kinds: scale-
like on long shoots and needle-like,
paired, in short shoots. Indigenous
to Cyprus, occurring on the highest
slopes of Troodos (1100-1950 m alt.).
It occurs in the Balkan Peninsula, Tur-
key, Crimea and the Carpathians.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in tangential rows.
Collapsed sieve cells present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Prismatic crystals present. With resin
ducts in cortex. Cell content in paren-
Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana (D.Don) Holmboe

chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous,

distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Heterogenous
pith. Sclereids present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.

›T ›T

72
Stem xylem: 40 44 55 56 79 82 85 87 90 97 103 107 109 110 117 118 119 124
Twig bark: B2 B4 B7 B20 B25 B26 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3 P3.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Pinaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lumen
diameter). Axial intercellular resin ca-
nals present with epithelial cells thin-
walled.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood tra-
cheids predominantly uniseriate. Ray
tracheids commonly present. Cell walls
of ray tracheids dentate. End walls of
ray parenchyma cells smooth. Hori-
zontal walls of ray parenchyma cells
smooth (unpitted). Cross-field pitting

Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana (D.Don) Holmboe

fenestriform (“window-like”). Number
of pits per cross-field in earlywood 1-2
(large fenestriform). Prismatic crystals
located in cells associated with inter-
cellular canals.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height medium (5 to 15
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate. Ra-
dial intercellular resin canals present.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

73
 Pinus pinea L.
Umbrella Pine
Pinaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 30 m high, with a
characteristic spherical crown. Leaves
needle-like, 8-12 cm long, found in
pairs, bright green. Cone woody, large,
broadly ovate. Exotic to Cyprus, widely
cultivated in gardens and plantations
(0-140 m alt.). Native of the Mediterra-
nean region and Portugal.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Prismatic crystals present. Cor-
tex consist of large and small paren-
chyma cells. With resin ducts in cor-
tex. Cell content in parenchyma cells.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cell content
present (dark staining substances).
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles not clearly distinct.
Resin duct at the periphery of the pith.
Pinus pinea L.

›T ›T

74
Stem xylem: 40 44 54 56 79 81 86 88 93 98 103 107 109 110 117
Twig bark: B7 B20 B25 B26 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Pinaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct.
Latewood tracheids thin-walled (double
wall thickness less than radial lumen
diameter). Axial intercellular resin
canals present. Epithelial cells thin-
walled.

›T ›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood tra-
cheids predominantly uniseriate. Ray
tracheids commonly present. Cell walls
of ray tracheids smooth. End walls of
ray parenchyma cells distinctly pitted.
Horizontal walls of ray parenchyma
cells distinctly pitted. Cross-field pit-
ting cupressoid. Number of pits per
cross-field in earlywood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height medium (5 to 15
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate. Ra-
dial intercellular resin canals present.
Pinus pinea L.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

75
 Taxus baccata L.
Common Yew, English Yew
Taxaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 15 m high, with
broad crown and reddish-brown bark.
Leaves linear, flat, 2-3 cm long. An
exotic species to Cyprus, cultivated as
ornamental in gardens and parks (500-
1000 m alt.). Native to Europe, north
Africa and western Asia, only on moun-
tains in the Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell in tangential rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Crystal sand present. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light. Lignified cells in phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Unlignified cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Crystal sand
present. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate.
Taxus baccata L.

›T

76
Stem xylem: 40 44 55 56 61 62 65 68 80 85 87 93 98 103 107
Twig bark: B1 B2 B7 B9 B13 B23 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P0.1 P1.1 P3.4 P4 P6.4 P10.1

Taxaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Late-
wood tracheids thick-walled (double
wall thickness larger than radial lumen
diameter).

›T

Radial section
Pitting in radial walls of earlywood tra-
cheids predominantly uniseriate. Heli-
cal thickenings in tracheids present.
Helical thickenings single and widely
spaced (number of coils less than 120
per mm). Ray tracheids absent or very
rare. End walls of ray parenchyma cells
smooth. Horizontal walls of ray paren-
chyma cells smooth (unpitted). Cross-
field pitting cupressoid. Number of pits
per cross-field in earlywood 1-3.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Average ray height medium (5 to 15
cells). Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Taxus baccata L.

Wood basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T ›T

77
Gnetales

This section contains anatomical

descriptions of stem and twig xylem,
as well as the bark and pith regions of
two gnetales species belonging to the
Ephedraceae family.

Gnetales
 Ephedra foeminea Forssk. = Ephedra fragilis Desf subsp.
campylopoda (C.A. Mey.) Asch. et Graebn.
Ephedraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Dioecious, erect or climbing, much
branched shrub, with a stem up to 3 m
long. Branches pendulous, glaucous-
green. Native species in the eastern
Mediterranean basin. Fairly common in
Cyprus, occurring in maquis, garigue,
stone walls and on rocky slopes (0-900
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell and collapsed
sieve cells present. Only some rays be-
come slightly dilated. Cortex consist of
large thin-walled parenchyma cells and
scattered or irregularly dispersed fib-
ers and sclereids. Crystal sand present.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Thick-walled fibers in the first ring.
Vessel clusters common. Intervessel
pits minute (less than 4 μm in diam-
eter). Rays uniseriate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape roundish. Large cells in the
centre, smaller at the border of the
Ephedra foeminea Forssk.

pith. Cell content present (dark stain-

ing substances). Vascular bundles
clearly separate.

›T ›T

80
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 19 26 30 40.2 50.2 53.2 58 62 69 70.3 75 78 97 105 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B9 B13 B15 B18 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P4.1 P5 P10.1

Ephedraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous, vessels
predominantly solitary. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled, radial
flat marginal fibers. Axial parenchyma
extremely rare or not to recognizable,
sometimes scanty paratracheal. Rays
4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Foraminate perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits medium (7-10 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits half bordered, smaller
than intervessel pits. Earlywood ves-
sel element length more than 500 μm.
Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). All ray cells upright or
square, with some procumbent cells

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Dark staining substances in ray cells.
Ephedra foeminea Forssk.

Wood basic density: 0,73 g/cm³

›T ›T

81
 Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo subsp. procera (Fisch.
et C.A. Mey.) K. Richt.
Ephedraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Dioecious, erect, scoparioid shrub up
to 1 m high. Branches erect, glaucous-
green. Indigenous to the Mediterrane-
an countries and the countries east-
ward to Iran, Afghanistan and central
Asia. Rare in Cyprus, it occurs on rocky
slopes, in maquis and pine forest
openings (600-900 m alt.).
Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo subsp. procera (Fisch. et C.A. Mey.) K. Richt.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve cell and collapsed
sieve cells present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Crystal
sand present. Cell content in parenchy-
ma cells. Layered phelloderm.

Xylem
Rays per mm 12-20.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances).
Vascular bundles clearly separate from
one other to not distinct. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

82
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 19 27 30 40.1 47 53.2 62 69 76 78 86 98 105 115 152
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B18 B23 B28 B35
Pith: P1 P2 P4 P5 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Ephedraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood ring-porous. Vessels
predominantly solitary. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels less
than 20 μm, 5-20 vessels per mm2. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Axial paren-
chyma diffuse and scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in narrow

Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo subsp. procera (Fisch. et C.A. Mey.) K. Richt.

bands or lines up to three cells wide.
Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Foraminate perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits large (more than 10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length more
than 500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). All ray cells
upright and square. Crystal sand.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 5 cells.

Wood basic density: 0,83 g/cm³

›T ›T

83
Angiosperms: Monocotyledons

This section contains anatomical

descriptions of stem and bark of 6
monocotyledonous species belonging
to 4 families.

Angiosperms: Monocotyledons
 Asparagus acutifolius L.
Hardy Asparagus
Asparagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Monocot with angular, often purplish
stems up to 2 m long. Leaves alternate
membranous, scaly. Cladodes in fasci-
cles of 5-30, spiny. A common indig-
enous species to Cyprus, occurring on
maquis, garigue and pine forests (0-
1500 m alt.). Indigenous to European
and Mediterranean countries.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
STEM ANATOMY
Circular outline. Thin-walled unligni-
fied epidermis with a thin cuticle. Be-
low a 4-6 cell wide thin-walled, unligni-
fied assimilatory tissue is a lignified
sclerenchymatic belt, which changes
continuously or abruptly into a thin–to
thick-walled tissue up to the filled cen-
tre. Horseshoe-like vascular bundles
are accompanied by a one-sided small
layer of Unlignified cells present. Two
large vessels with a diameter of 80 to
100 μm and a group of horseshoe like
arranged small vessels are arranged
around the phloem.
›T
Asparagus acutifolius L.

Stem basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

86
Asparagus stipularis Forsskal
Wild Asparagus

Asparagaceae
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling shrub up to 2 m
long. Stem angular, glaucous-green.
Laves alternate, scaly, membranous.
Common, indigenous species to Cy-
prus that occur in maquis, garigue and
pine forests (0-600 m alt.). Indigenous
also to Mediterranean countries and
Atlantic islands.

STEM ANATOMY
Round to slightly wavy outline. Thin-
walled unlignified epidermis with a
thick cuticle. Below a 3-5 cell wide
thin-walled, unlignified assimilatory
tissue is a lignified sclerenchymatic
belt, which changes fairly abrupt into
a thin- to thick-walled tissue up to the
filled centre. Heart-like thin-walled
vascular bundles are accompanied by
a one-sided small layer of Unlignified
cells present. Two large vessels with a
diameter of 80 to 100 μm and a group
of horseshoe like arranged small ves-
sels are arranged around the phloem.
›T

Asparagus stipularis Forsskal

Stem basic density: 0,58 g/cm³

›T ›T

87
 Arundo donax L.
Giant Reed
Graminaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial herb up to 6 m high with
stout, long and woody rhizome. Culms
woody, erect, hollow, 2-4 cm in diam-
eter. Leaves linear up to 60x8 cm. It
occurs in moist places along rivers,
streams and canals (0-1400 m alt.). It
also occurs in the Atlantic islands, tropi-
cal Asia eastward to New Zealand.

STEM ANATOMY
Outline circular. The periphery consists
on thin cuticula, very small epidermis
cells and a thick-walled hypodermis.
Below is a 5-8 cell wide homogenous,
thick-walled lignified assimilatory
tissue and an extremely thick-walled
lignified sclerenchymatic belt, which
changes fairly abrupt into a thin- to
thick-walled tissue up to hollow centre.
Round to heart-like vascular bundles
are surrounded by a large layer of
thick-walled lignified cells. Two large
vessels with a diameter of 80 to 100
μm are placed lateral of a round phlo-
em. Characteristic is a radial row of ›T
thick-walled vessels of the protoxylem
between the lateral vessels.
Arundo donax L.

Stem basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T

88
Pharagmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud
Common Reed

Graminaceae
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial herb up to 3 m high, spread-
ing principally by rhizome. Culms
woody, erect, hollow, 1-2 cm in di-
ameter. Leaves linear up to 40x4 cm.
Indigenous to Cyprus, found in moist
places, along rivers, streams and saline
marshes (0-600 m alt.). It also occurs in
many temperate and tropical countries.

STEM ANATOMY
Outline circular. Very thick-walled un-
lignified epidermis consists on quad-
rangular cells which are covered with
a thin cuticula. Below is a two-layered
thick-walled hypodermis and a thin- to
thick-walled assimilatory tissue. The
very thick-walled sclerenchymatic belt
changes fairly abrupt towards a fairly
thin-walled tissue up to large hollow

Pharagmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud

centre. Tangential oval vascular bun-
dles are surrounded by a thin layer of
lignified thick-walled cells. Two large
vessels with a diameter of 100 to
130 μm are placed lateral of a round
›T phloem. Typical is a thick-walled vessel
of the protoxylem between the lateral
vessels.

Stem basic density: 0,73 g/cm³

›T
›T

89
 Ruscus aculeatus L.
Butcher’s Broom
Ruscaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub with stems up to 80
cm long. Rhizome compact and short.
Stem dark green, glabrous. Leaves
alternate, scaly, membranous. Rather
uncommon in Cyprus, found in hedges
and shrubland (0-1100 m alt.). It also
occurs in Europe, and in the Mediterra-
nean countries.

STEM ANATOMY
Outline circular with rips. Thin-walled
unlignified epidermis with a thick, fine
ripped cuticula. Below 10-15 cell wide
heterogenous, unlignified assimilatory
tissue is a lignified sclerenchymatic
belt, which changes fairly abrupt into a
fairly thin-walled tissue up to the filled
centre. The assimilatory belt is delimi-
tated toward the sclerenchymatic belt
by an endodermis. Round thin-walled
vascular bundles are accompanied
at the peripheral side by a group of
half-moon-like thick-walled fibers and
a row of thin- to thick-walled fibers at
the centripetal side. Groups of small
›T
vessels with a diameter of 10 to 20 μm
are placed half-moon-like at the cen-
tripetal side of a round to oval phloem.
Ruscus aculeatus L.

Stem basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T ›T

90
Smilax aspera L.
Common Smilax

Smilaceae
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, climbing shrub with stems
up to 4 m long, with dense, patent or
recurved prickles. Leaves cordate and
leathery. Flowers small, yellowish; fruit
a red, globose berry. A Mediterranean
species, in Cyprus it grows in maquis,
garigue and pine forests (0-1400 m
alt.).

STEM ANATOMY
Round to slightly wavy outline. Thin-
walled unlignified epidermis with a
thick cuticula. Below a 7-10 cell wide
thin- to thick-walled, lignified assimila-
tory tissue is a lignified sclerenchym-
atic belt, which changes fairly abrupt
into a fairly thin-walled tissue up to the
filled centre. Round vascular bundles
are accompanied by a layer of lignifed
thin- to thick-walled cells. Two large
vessels with a diameter of 100 to 150
μm and a group of few small vessels
are arranged centripetal below a round
phloem.
›T

Smilax aspera L.

Stem basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T

91
Angiosperms: Dicotyledons

This section contains anatomical de-

scriptions of stem and twig xylem, as
well as the bark and pith regions of
244 dicotyledonous species belonging
to 61 families.

Angiosperms: Dicotyledons
 Sambucus nigra L.
Common Elder, Black Elder
Adoxaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 10 m high.
Bark grey-brown. Leaves opposite,
compound, imparipinnate. Natural-
ized in Cyprus, found in field margins,
river banks and home gardens (0-1200
m alt.). It also occurs throughout the
Mediterranean Basin, in central and
northern Europe and western Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Fibers scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Crystal
sand present. Cortex homogeneous.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessel solitary and in small clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Rays predom-
inantly uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Few scattered thick-walled parenchyma
cells present. Crystal sand present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate.
Sambucus nigra L.

›T ›T

94
Stem xylem: 1 5 6 11 13 22 25 30 41 50.2 52.3 56 60 61 69 70.2 75 76 97 107 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B13 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Adoxaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
in clusters, arranged in intra-annual
tangential bands. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
50-100 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Tyloses with thin walls common.
Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Tension
wood present. Axial parenchyma ex-
tremely rare, diffuse. Rays 4-12 per
mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessels length 100-200 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present in latewood. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Body ray cells procumbent with
mostly 2-4 rows of upright and square
marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Sambucus nigra L.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

95
 Viburnum opulus L.
Guelder Rose, Snowball
Adoxaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 4 m high.
Leaves opposite, simple, thinly hairy
below. Flowers white in umbellate fas-
cicles. Fruit a sub globose, red drupe.
Exotic to Cyprus, found in gardens and
hedges and elsewhere (500-1200 m
alt.). Indigenous to central and south-
ern Europe.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Sclereids scattered or irregularly dis-
persed and in small groups. Crystal
druses present. Cortex and phellem
homogeneous, the latter distinct in
polarized light. Layered phelloderm.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape hexagonal. Medullary
sheath present. Cells dimorphic. Crys-
tal druses present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls, grouped.
Pits of two distinct size. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Viburnum opulus L.

Tracheary elements of metaxylem in

distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

96
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 14 18 21 25 30 40.2 50.2 53.2 62 69 70.2 76 78 96 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B18 B19 B22 B31 B33 B35
Pith: P1.1 P2 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Adoxaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessel
solitary or in small clusters. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
diffuse and scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
more than 40 bars. Inter-vessel pits
opposite, small (4-7 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Early-
wood vessel element length more than
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Viburnum opulus L.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

97
 Viburnum tinus L. subsp. tinus
Laurustinus
Adoxaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 7 m high. Leaves
opposite, leathery, thinly hairy below.
Flowers white in umbellate fascicles.
Fruit a sub-globose, red drupe. A rare
indigenous to Cyprus recently found on
Pentadaktylos range; also planted in gar-
dens and hedges and elsewhere (0-1400
m alt.). Indigenous to southern Europe.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed in
cortex. Prismatic crystals and crystal
druses present. Phellem homogene-
ous. Lignified cells in phellem.

Xylem
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

›T
Viburnum tinus L. subsp. tinus

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Pits grouped. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

98
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 11 14 17 21 26 30 36 40.2 50.2 53.2 62 70 70.3 76 78 86 96 97 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B13 B20 B22 B31 B34
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Adoxaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by a
lack of vessels in terminal latewood
and by distinct by radially flatted and
thick-walled latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous to semi-ring-porous.
Vessels solitary or in small clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. More than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Fibers very thick-walled, marginal
flat fibers. Apotracheal parenchyma
diffuse, and in narrow bands or lines
›T ›T up to three cells wide. More than 20
rays per mm.
Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
20-40 bars. Intervessel pits opposite,
medium (7-10 μm in diameter). Helical
thickenings in vessel element present.
Earlywood vessel element length more
than 500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Viburnum tinus L. subsp. tinus

Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

99
 Bosea cypria Autran et Schinz
Cyprus Bosea
Amaranthaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub, 1-2 m high. Fruit
a red globose berry. Leaves broadly
lanceolate to elliptic. Endemic to Cy-
prus, occurring on rocky ground, old
stone walls and rocky sites with open or
maquis vegetation (0-650 m alt.). One
of the three Bosea species occurring
worldwide.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed and
in tangential groups in cortex. Cortex
consist of large and small thin-walled
parenchyma cells. Crystal druses and
crystal sand present. Epidermis distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Bosea cypria Autran et Schinz

Pith
Pith shape round. With prismatic crys-
tals and crystal druses. Pits of two
distinct sizes, grouped in both lon-
gitudinal and transverse cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct. Axial cells in regular rows
(radial section).

›T ›T

100
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 20 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 53.1 56 58 61 69 78 89 96 98 102 103 105 116.1 133.1 136 144
Twig bark: B1 B9 B13 B14 B22 B23 B33
Pith: P1 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Amaranthaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries present in
xylem, distinct by radially flatted and
thick-walled latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary or in
short radial multiples. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm. More than 200 vessels per mm2.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es.Tyloses with thin walls common.
Deposits in heartwood vessels. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma in marginal bands. Rays 12-
20 per mm. Included phloem: concen-
›T ›T
tric arranged single vascular bundles.
Crystal druses in included phloem.
Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Intervessel
pits pseudoscalariform to reticulate
and alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Most of
ray cells upright, few squared. Prismat-
ic crystals and crystal druses present.

›T ›T

Tangential section Bosea cypria Autran et Schinz

Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 3 to 7 seriate. Wider rays height
more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

101
 Cotinus coggygria Scop.
Wig Tree
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 4 m high,
with resinous odour. Branches glossy-
green at the first, then reddish-brown.
Leaves simple, alternate, oval-elliptical
and greenish-yellow flowers. It grows
throughout the northern Mediterra-
nean countries. Widely cultivated in
gardens (0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers in tangen-
tial bands. Prismatic crystals present.
Secretory elements in ducts in phloem
and in cortex. Phellem homogeneous. ›T

Lignified cells in phellem. Layered

phellem.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Rays exclu-
sively uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
Cotinus coggygria Scop.

distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

102
Stem xylem: 1 3 11 13 22 25 31 32 36 41 45 49 53.1 56 60 61 69 78 97 106 107 108 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B12 B20 B25 B26 B31 B34 B29
Pith: P1 P4 P10.1 P12

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessel clusters common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels
per mm2. Vessel of two distinct diam-
eter classes. Tyloses with thin walls
common. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
elongated with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with one to more
than 4 rows of square marginal cells.
Prismatic crystals present in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Cotinus coggygria Scop.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

103
 Pistacia atlantica Desf.
Terebinth Tree
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A robust, deciduous tree up to 15
m high with a massive trunk. Leaves
compound, leaflets in 3-5 pairs, lan-
ceolate or ovate. Fruit an ovate drupe,
at first red, bluish-green at maturity.
Indigenous to Cyprus, in abandoned
fields, fields margins and rocky slopes
(0-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
and sclereids in tangential rows and
in groups. Prismatic crystals present.
With secretory elements in ducts. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or
more. Vessel diameter less than 20
μm, in two distinct diameter classes.
Some ray with procumbent cells, some
›T
others with upright and squared cells.

Pith
Pith shape roundish. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). With prismatic crystals
Pistacia atlantica Desf.

and crystal druses. Pits in transverse

and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascu-
lar bundles clearly separate from one
other. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

104
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9 9.1 11 13 22 25 31 36 41 49 52.3 56 58 60 61 69 70.2 78 96 97 105 106 107 115 130 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B12 B14 B15 B17 B19 B20 B25 B26 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P5 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood. Wood ring-po-
rous. Earlywood vessels predominantly
solitary, latewood vessels in short
radial multiples and in clusters. Ves-
sels in diagonal and or radial pattern.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 ves-
sels per mm2. Tyloses and deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Body ray cells procumbent
with 1 to 3 rows of upright and square
marginal cells. Prismatic crystals in ray
parenchyma cells, and in tyloses.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Gradual transition from uniseriate to 4
cells wide rays. Multiseriate rays with
radial canals with epithelial cells.
Pistacia atlantica Desf.

Wood basic density: 0,74 g/cm³

›T ›T

105
 Pistacia lentiscus L.
Mastic Tree, Lentisk
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, aromatic shrub or small
tree up to 4 m high. Leaves compound,
leaflets leathery, dark green. It occurs
in all the Mediterranean countries, in-
digenous to Cyprus. Very common on
rocky sites, sand dunes, maquis and
pine forests (0-800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers and scle-
reids present, arranged in tangential
groups. Prismatic crystals present.
Secretory elements in ducts present.
Phellem consist of large and small
cells, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels solitary or in short radial
multiples. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. Early-
wood vessel element length 200-500
μm. Rays exclusively uniseriate, with
procumbent, square and upright cells ›T

mixed throughout the ray.

Pith
Pith shape roundish. Heterogeneous
pith. Cells dimorphic. Cell content pre-
sent (dark staining substances). Thick-
walled parenchyma cells scattered in
the pith. Prismatic crystals present.
Pits of two distinct sizes in transverse
Pistacia lentiscus L.

and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular

bundles clearly separate. Tracheary el-
ements of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

106
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9 10 11 13 22 25 31 36 41 49 52.3 60 69 70.2 78 96 97 106 115 130 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B9 B12 B15 B17 B20 B25 B26 B32 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P12 P13

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels in radial multiples of 4
or more elements, and in clusters. Ves-
sels in diagonal and or radial pattern.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Tension wood present. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. Rays
4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Helical thicken-
ings in vessel elements present. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric trac-
heids present. Body ray cells procum-
bent with one row of upright or square
marginal cells. Prismatic crystals in ray
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide. Radial
canals with epithelial cells.
Pistacia lentiscus L.

Wood basic density: 0,78 g/cm³

›T ›T

107
 Pistacia terebinthus L.
Terebinth
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, aromatic shrub or small
tree up to 6 m high. Leaves alternate
and compound. Fruit an obovate
drupe, at first red, bluish-green at
maturity. A Mediterranean species, in-
digenous to Cyprus. It occurs on rocky
mountainsides and in pine forests,
maquis and garigue (0-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers
in groups, sclereids predominantly in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Phellem homo-
geneous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels in two distinct diameter class-
es.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal to roundish. Cell
dimorphic. With prismatic crystals
and crystal druses. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
Pistacia terebinthus L.

bundles clearly separate. Axial cells in

regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

108
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 11 13 21 25 32 36 40.2 50.1 52.3 56 60 62 70 70.2 78 86 97 109 116.2 130 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B9 B14 B15 B17 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Earlywood vessels mostly
solitary, vessel clusters common in
latewood. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Tyloses common.
Fibers very thick-walled. Tension wood
present. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal or vertical apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessels length 100-200 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray. Prismatic
crystals in axial and ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width 1 to 3 cells. Radial canals
with epithelial cells.
Pistacia terebinthus L.

Wood basic density: 0,81 g/cm³

›T ›T

109
 Rhus coriaria L.
Sumac
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 3 m high. Twigs
exuding milky latex when broken. Fruit
a suborbicular drupe, reddish-brown
at maturity. It occurs throughout the
Mediterranean and eastward to Iran;
native to Cyprus. Common on rocky
mountainsides, pine forests, maquis
and garigue (500-1600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Only some rays
become dilated. Sclereids present,
scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Crystal druses present. With secretory ›T

elements in ducts.

Xylem
Vessels clusters common. Rays exclu-
sively uniseriate. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round to star-shaped. Cells
dimorphic. Crystal druses present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls (radial section). Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).
Rhus coriaria L.

›T ›T

110
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9 11 13 22 26 27 31 36 42 48 53.1 56 60 61 69 70 70.3 77 79 97 106 115 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B15 B18 B22 B26
Pith: P1 P4 P4.1 P4.2 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood, and by a lack
of vessels in terminal latewood. Wood
ring-porous. Vessels solitary and in
small clusters. Vessels in diagonal and
radial pattern in latewood. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 100-200 μm, 20-40 vessels per
mm2. Tyloses common. Fibers thick- to
very thick-walled. Radial flat marginal
fibers present. Axial parenchyma dif-
fuse in aggregates and vasicentric.
Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium to large (7
μm to more than 10 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular with
large apertures. Helical thickenings in
vessel elements present. Earlywood
vessel element length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
upright and square marginal cells. Pris-
matic crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rhus coriaria L.

Wood basic density: 0,51 g/cm³

›T ›T

111
 Schinus molle L.
Pepper Tree
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 10 m high, with
pendulous branches. Leaves alternate,
compound. Fruit a globose drupe,
rosy-red at maturity. A native of South
America, cultivated in various Mediter-
ranean countries; exotic to Cyprus.
Common in roadside plantations and
gardens (0-600 m alt.).

Photo: Börner
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become slightly dilated. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers scattered or irregularly dis-
persed, sometimes grouped. Prismatic
crystals present. With secretory ele-
ments in ducts. Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Growth rings boundaries distinct only
along some rays. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape roundish. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Prismatic crystals present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate from one another. Tracheary
elements of metaxylem in distinct
radial rows. Axial cells in regular rows
Schinus molle L.

(radial section).

›T ›T

112
Stem xylem: 1 5 10 11 13 22 24 32 36 40.2 50.1 53.1 58 60 61 65 69 70.2 78 96 97 105 109 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B4 B6 B7 B9 B13 B14 B20 B25 B14.1
Pith: P1 P4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels commonly in radial multiples
of 4 or more and in clusters. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Tension wood present. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. Rays 4-12
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal or vertical apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). Septate fibers present. Uniseriate
ray cells upright and square, multiseri-
ate rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.
Prismatic crystals and dark staining
substances in ray parenchyma cells.
›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.
Schinus molle L.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

113
 Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi
Brazilian Pepper Tree, Christmas-Berry Tree
Anacardiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 15 m high. Fruit
a globose drupe, rosy-red at maturity.
A native of South America; cultivated
in various Mediterranean countries,
exotic to Cyprus. Common in roadside
plantations and gardens (0-400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Some rays become dilated. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers grouped. Sclereids scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. Secretory elements in ducts
in cortex. Cell content in parenchyma
cells in cortex. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or
more. Rays predominantly uniseriate.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi

Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.

With prismatic crystals and crystal
druses. Intercellular canals with border
cells. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

114
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 32 36 40.2 49 53.1 58 61 65 69 70.2 78 96 97 106 107 115 130 136 136.1
Twig bark: B6 B7 B9 B14 B15 B18 B20 B25 B26 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6 P6.2 P8 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Anacardiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to
6 elements. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 40-
100 vessels per mm2. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Tension wood
present. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal or vertical apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Septate
fibers present. Body ray cells procum-
bent with one row of upright marginal
cells. Prismatic crystals in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi

Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.
Intercellular radial canals with border
cells.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

115
 Nerium oleander L.
Oleander
Apocynaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, lactiferous shrub 2-4 m
high. Leaves in whorls of 3 or oppo-
site, thick and coriaceous. Flowers
dark to light pink or white. Widespread
in the Mediterranean region. Native of
Cyprus, very common along streams of
the island and widely planted for orna-
ment (0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Fib-
ers with an unlignified innermost layer
in groups. Prismatic crystals present.
With laticifers, secretory elements,
oil ducts or mucilage ducts in cortex.
Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Vessels mostly in radial multiples of
4 or more. Earlywood vessel element
length more than 500 μm. Rays exclu-
sively uniseriate. More than 20 rays
per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape triangular. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Heterogenous pith. Sclereids pre-
sent. Cell content present (dark stain-
ing substances). With prismatic crystals
and crystal druses. Pits in transverse
Nerium oleander L.

and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular

bundles at the periphery of the pith.

›T ›T

116
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 10 13 22 24 30 40.2 49 53.1 61 65 69 76 86 96.1 97 100 109 116.1 136 136.1 200
Twig bark: B1 B4.1 B10 B15 B18 B20 B25 B31
Pith: P1.1 P1.2 P2 P3 P3.1 P5 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10

Apocynaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels solitary or in radial multiples of 2
to 4 or more. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 40-100
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Apotracheal parenchyma dif-
fuse and in narrow bands or lines up to
three cells wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, minute (less than 4
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to interves-
sel pits in size and shape throughout
the ray cell. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). Septate fibers present. Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray. Few pris-
matic crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide. Rays
with multiseriate portions as wide as
uniseriate portions.
Nerium oleander L.

Wood basic density: 0,41 g/cm³

›T ›T

117
 Vinca major L.
Grater Periwinkle
Apocynaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen creeping subshrub, with
sterile shoots, up to 1 m long, and
shorter suberect flowering stems.
Leaves opposite, broadly ovate. Native
of western and central Europe and the
Mediterranean countries, naturalized in
Cyprus. It is found in gardens and fal-
low land (0-1600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in tan-
gential rows, scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Fibers with an unlignified
innermost layer in tangentially ar-
ranged groups. Cortex homogeneous.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Unlignified cells present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles at the periph-
ery of the pith.
Vinca major L.

›T ›T

118
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 61 65 69 75 96 100.1 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B15 B17 B18 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10

Apocynaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
and in radial multiples of 2 to 4 ele-
ments. Mean tangential diameter of
vessels 20-50 μm, more than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent,
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Helical thickenings in ves-
sel elements present. Vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Septate fibers present. All ray
cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate. Rays con-
fluent with ground tissue.
Vinca major L.

Wood basic density: 0,27 g/cm³

›T

119
 Ilex aquifolium L.
Holly
Aquifoliaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 10 m high, with
dense spherical or ovoid crown. Leaves
with spinose or cuspidate margins,
leathery. Flowers small and white. Fruit
a globose, red drupe. Exotic to Cyprus,
native of many European and Mediter-
ranean countries and eastward to Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed and
grouped. Sclereids in groups. Prismatic
crystals and crystal druses present.
Phloem uniform. Cortex homogene-
ous. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light. Lignified cells in epidermis.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Prismatic crystals and
crystal sand present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular ›T
bundles clearly separate. Tracheary el-
Ilex aquifolium L.

ements of metaxylem in distinct radial

rows.

›T

120
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 10 14 16 17 21 26 30 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 62 69 76 98 102 103 106 107 115
Twig bark: B1 B9 B13 B14 B15 B19 B20 B22 B8 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Aquifoliaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous to semi-ring-porous.
Vessels in radial pattern. Vessels in
radial multiples of 4 or more elements
common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin-
to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma dif-
fuse. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
20-40 bars. Inter-vessel pits oppo-
site, medium (7-10 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with 1-3 rows of upright
and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays uniseriate and up to 7 seri-
ate. Ray height more than 1 mm.
Ilex aquifolium L.

Wood basic density: 0,78 g/cm³

›T ›T

121
 Hedera helix L. = Hedera helix L. subsp. poetarum Nyman
Ivy
Araliaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen climber with aerial roots.
Leaves alternate, simple; lamina of
leaves on sterile shoots cordate or del-
toid, leaves on flowering shoots lamina
ovate to broadly lanceolate. Native to
Cyprus, growing in moist sites (100-
1600 m alt.). It also occurs in temper-
ate Europe and Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in tan-
gential rows, scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Growth rings clearly demarcated only
along some radii. Mean tangential di-
ameter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm,
earlywood vessels length more than
500 μm. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Cells dimorphic. Unlignified
cells present. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate.
Hedera helix L.

›T ›T

122
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 11 13 20 22 26 31 41 50.1 53.1 60 61 65 67 69 76 78 96 99 102 103 104 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B15 B17 B18 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P3.4 P4 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Araliaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by a
lack of vessels in terminal latewood.
Wood ring-porous to semi-ring-porous.
Vessel clusters common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Parenchyma-like fiber bands
alternating with ordinary fibers. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Apotracheal
parenchyma diffuse to scanty paratra-
cheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Few inter-
vessel pits scalariform. Inter-vessel pits
alternate, medium (7-10 μm in diam-
eter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or an-
gular with large apertures. Earlywood
vessel element length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Sep-
tate fibers present. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.
Hedera helix L.

Wood basic density: 0,36 g/cm³

›T ›T

123
 Aristolochia sempervirens L.
Climbing Birthwort, Dutchman’s Pipe
Aristolochiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen climber up to 3 m high, with
a thick root stock. Leaves cordate with
acute apex, coriaceous. Flowers tubu-
lar, strongly curved. Indigenous to Cy-
prus growing among trees and shrubs
usually in moist situations (0-1200 m
alt.). Native also to Algeria, Sicily east-
ward to Greece and Lebanon.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers arranged in
wide tangential bands in cortex. Scle-
reids scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Cortex consist of a belt of thick-walled
fibers and unlignified parenchyma
cells. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light. Lignified cells in epidermis.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Aristolochia sempervirens L.

Unlignified cells present. Vascular

bundles not distinct. Pith collapsed in
older twigs and in stem.

›T

124
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 13 22 26 39.1 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 62 69 78 99 100.2 109 114
Twig bark: B1 B4 B9 B12 B15 B18 B14.1
Pith: P3.4 P10.2

Aristolochiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Vessels cell wall thick (more than 2
μm). Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessels 20-50 μm. Vessels of two
distinct diameter classes. More than
200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Less than 4 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).
Rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Aristolochia sempervirens L.

Larger rays commonly more than 10
seriate. Rays not visible in polarized
light.

Wood basic density: 0,29 g/cm³

›T ›T

125
 Cyprinia gracilis (Boiss.) Browicz
Cyprinia
Asclepiadaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, slender climber reaching
more than 8 m in length. Shoots with
milky latex. Leaves opposite, simple,
leathery. The genus Cyprinia includes
a single species, which is indigenous
to Cyprus and southern Turkey. On
Cyprus it is rather uncommon but not
rare (0-1100 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Scle-
reids scattered or irregularly dispersed
and in groups. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. With laticifers, secretory elements
in ducts.

Xylem
First growth ring consist of 4-6 con-
secutive radially arranged small vessels
and fibers, with few 50-100 μm diam-
eter vessels.

›T
Cyprinia gracilis (Boiss.) Browicz

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape roundish. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Cells dimorphic. Unlignified cells
present. Large vascular bundles in the
pith. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

126
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 42 48 53.1 62 69 70.3 78 84 96 109 116.2
Twig bark: B4 B15 B18 B19 B20 B25 B27
Pith: P1.1 P1 P3.4 P4 P10 P12

Asclepiadaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by radi-
ally flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-
porous. Earlywood vessels predomi-
nantly solitary, latewood vessels in
short radial multiples common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 100-200 μm, 20-40 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal and unilat-
eral paratracheal. More than 20 rays
per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Cyprinia gracilis (Boiss.) Browicz

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,36 g/cm³

›T ›T

127
 Achillea cretica L.
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, neatly rounded sub-
shrub up to 50 cm high, with densely
white-tomentose shoots. Leaves nu-
merous, linear (10-25x2-3 mm). Indig-
enous to Crete, the Aegean islands and
southwest Turkey. A rare indigenous
species on Cyprus, occurring on rocky
slopes near the sea (0-150 m).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Larger
rays become dilated. Large groups of
fibers containing scattered sieve tubes
and parenchyma cells between rays.
Crystal sand present. Phellem consist
of thin-walled and irregularly shaped
cells.

Xylem
First growth ring with few small ves-
sels and very thick-walled fibers. Rays
predominantly uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal sand present. Vascular bundles
clearly separate.
Achillea cretica L.

›T ›T

128
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 58 60 61 69 78 89 96 97 98 102 105 114 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B9 B12 B14 B23
Pith: P1 P4 P6.4 P10.1

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers, and
by initial marginal parenchyma cells.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in short
radial multiples and in clusters. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Vessels of two distinct diam-
eter classes. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands. Less than 4 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All ray cells upright and square.
Elongated crystals in ray cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays from uniseriate to 10 seriate.
Larger rays more than 1 mm high.
Achillea cretica L.

Wood basic density: 0,42 g/cm³

›T ›T

129
 Achillea maritima (L.) Ehrend. et Y.P. Guo subsp. maritima
= Otanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmanns. et Link subsp. maritimus
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 40 cm high. Stems
erect or sprawling, often much-
branched. Leaves oblong, sessile,
densely white-tomentose. Indigenous
to south-western Europe and the
Mediterranean region. A rare native of
Cyprus occurring on sand dunes and
sandy seashores (0 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Achillea maritima (L.) Ehrend. et Y.P. Guo subsp. maritima

Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Fibers in tangential groups and scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Crystal
sand present. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled parenchyma
cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Unlignified cells
present. Heterogeneous pith. Pits in
transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

130
Stem xylem: 1.1 5 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 60 61 65 67 69 78 96 98 102 103 105 115
Twig bark: B1 B3 B9 B12 B7.3
Pith: P1 P3.4 P9 P10.1 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct only
along some radii. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels solitary or in short radial mul-
tiples. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section

Achillea maritima (L.) Ehrend. et Y.P. Guo subsp. maritima

Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Septate fibers present. Paren-
chyma-like fiber bands alternating with
ordinary fibers. All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseri-
ate and up to 10 seriate. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,33 g/cm³

›T ›T

131
 Ambrosia maritima L.
Damaseisa, Sea Ambrosia
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic perennial herb up to 1 m
high. Male capitula in leafless, terminal
racemes; female inflorescence in the
axils of the uppermost leaves. It occurs
in the Mediterranean region; indig-
enous to Cyprus, occurring on sandy
seashores or muddy canal banks (0-20
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become slightly dilated. Few fib-
ers scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Large groups of fibers present. Pris-
matic crystals and crystal sand pre-
sent. Cortex consist of unlignified
parenchyma cells and groups of thick-
walled fibers. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary or in
short radial multiples. Axial parenchy-
ma scanty paratracheal.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Unlignified cells present.
Prismatic crystals and crystal druses
present. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
Ambrosia maritima L.

rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem

in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

132
Stem xylem: 1 5 10 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 53.1 56 60 61 69 78 89 89.1 96 98 102 103 105 114
Twig bark: B1 B6 B13 B14 B20 B23 B33
Pith: P1 P3.4 P6 P6.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
initial marginal parenchyma bands.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 4 or more elements, and
in clusters. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Tyloses
with thin walls common. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma cells
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
rows, thin-walled, dark in polarized
light. Less than 4 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseri-
ate and up to 10 seriate. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.
Ambrosia maritima L.

Wood basic density: 0,31 g/cm³

›T ›T

133
 Artemisia arborescens L.
Shrubby Wormwood
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic shrub up to 1 m high. Stems
and leaves covered with silvery hairs.
Widespread in the Mediterranean re-
gion. Naturalized on Cyprus, found as
a relic or escape of cultivation in hedg-
es, dry stone walls and field borders
(50-1400 m alt.). It is cultivated also as
a medical plant.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers in groups. Scle-
reids scattered or irregularly dispersed
and in groups. Crystal sand present.
Ducts with border cells in cortex. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 30 μm. All ray cells
upright and square. In the first ring
›T
very thick-walled fibers present.

Pith
Pith shape round. With crystal druses
and crystal sand present. Pits of two
Artemisia arborescens L.

distinct size, grouped both in trans-

verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

134
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 60 61 69 78 96 97 105 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B14 B15 B18 B19 B23 B25 B26 B31 B14.3
Pith: P1 P6.2 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P12

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
initial marginal parenchyma cells, and
by zones with fibers of variable cell
wall thickness. Wood diffuse-porous to
semi-ring-porous. Vessels solitary or in
short radial multiples, and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. More than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Intervessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to intervessel pits in size
and shape throughout the ray cell. Fine
helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/
or vasicentric tracheids present. Fib-
ers with simple to minutely bordered
pits (libriform fibers). Most uniseriate
rays composed by upright and square
cells. Multiseriate rays with square, up-
right and few procumbent cells mixed
throughout the ray.
›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Artemisia arborescens L.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

135
 Centaurea akamantis T.Georgiades et Hadjik.
Akamas Centaury
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub with hanging or suberect,
densely hairy shoots, up to 60 cm
long. A very rare endemic to Cyprus,
confined in two neibouring gorges in
the Akamas peninsula (50-100 m alt.).
Centaurea akamantis in strictly pro-
tected.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
slightly dilated. Fibers grouped. Crystal
sand present. Cortex consist of thin-
walled parenchyma cells and groups of
thick-walled fibers.
Centaurea akamantis T.Georgiades et Hadjik.

Xylem
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable.

›T

Pith
Pith shape roundish to pentagonal.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles clearly separate. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).
›T

›T

136
Stem xylem: 1 1.1 5 11 13 22 25 30 39.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 60 61 65 69 70 78 79 96 98 102 103 105 114
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B14 B23 B14.1
Pith: P1.1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct only
along some radii by the difference
in vessel size between latewood and
earlywood and by the presence of mar-
ginal parenchyma cells. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-
200 per mm2. Vessels in two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal to vasicentric. Less than 4
rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple

Centaurea akamantis T.Georgiades et Hadjik.

to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Septate fibers present. All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseri-
ate and up to 10 seriate. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,30 g/cm³

›T ›T

137
 Cichorium spinosum L.
Spiny Chicory
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Intricately branched subshrub up to
50 cm high, with repeatedly branched
stems. Widely distributed throughout
the Mediterranean basin from Spain
to Cyprus. Indigenous to the island,
occurring on rock-crevices by the sea,
and sometimes on sandy coastal fields
(0-200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Col-
lapsed sieve tubes in radial rows. Crys-
tal sand present. Phellem homogene-
ous. Cortex consist of large and small
unlignified parenchyma cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal to round. Heteroge-
neous pith. Unlignified cells present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
Cichorium spinosum L.

cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly

separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

138
Stem xylem: 1 5 10 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 60 61 78 89 89.1 96 97 102 103 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B23 B31
Pith: P1.1 P1.1 P3 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ini-
tial marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 4 or more elements, and in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. Apotrache-
al parenchyma cells in marginal or in
seemingly marginal bands, thin-walled,
dark in polarized light. More than 20
rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide, the latter more
than 1 mm height.
Cichorium spinosum L.

Wood basic density: 0,33 g/cm³

›T ›T

139
 Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter subsp. angustifolia (Bég.) Greuter
= Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Viscid-glutinous, aromatic subshrub
up to 1,5 m high. Indigenous to the
Mediterranean region and the Atlan-
tic islands. Very common on Cyprus,
growing on disturbed grounds, along
roadsides, hillsides, often in moist
sites and near springs or rivers (0-
1600 m alt.).
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter subsp. angustifolia (Bég.) Greuter

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Fibers in tangen-
tial rows, scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Fibers in large groups. Acicular
crystals and crystal sand present. Cor-
tex consist of thin-walled parenchyma
cells and groups of thick-walled fibers.
Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly in short radial
multiples. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits grouped
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

140
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 53.1 60 61 69 78 96 98 102 103 105 114
Twig bark: B1 B6 B12 B13 B14 B21 B23 B14.1
Pith: P1 P4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
semi-ring to diffuse-porous. Vessels
predominantly solitary. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Less than 4 rays per mm.

Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter subsp. angustifolia (Bég.) Greuter

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger ray height
more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,48 g/cm³

›T ›T

141
 Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don
Everlasting
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic shrub up to 80 cm high, with
a characteristic curry smell. Flowering
stems erect, ascending of flexuous.
Leaves linear, hairy. Widely distributed
in the Mediterranean region. Indig-
enous to Cyprus, occurring on rocky,
usually igneous, mountainsides (500-
1800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
slightly dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Fibers arranged
in large and dense groups with scat-
tered sieve tubes.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

142
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 58 60 61 69 70.3 78 89 89.1 96 98 102 105 115 124
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B12 B5.4
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by initial marginal parenchy-
ma cells. Wood semi-ring-porous to dif-
fuse-porous. Vessels in radial multiples
of 2 to 4 elements, and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Deposits in heartwood vessels.
Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Parenchy-
ma scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal
parenchyma in marginal or in seem-
ingly marginal bands, dark in polarized
›T ›T
light. Rays 4-12 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don

Rays uniseriate to 10 seriate. Larger
rays more that 1 mm high. Oil and/
or mucilage cells associated with ray
parenchyma.

Wood basic density: 0,64 g/cm³

›T ›T

143
 Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman
= Helichrysum conglobatum (Viv.) Steud.
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 80 cm high with arach-
noid, erect shoots. Leaves woolly hairy.
A common indigenous species on Cy-
prus, growing in garigue, maquis and
rocky hillsides (0–700 m alt.). Widely
distributed in the Mediterranean re-
gion.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Fibers in large
Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman

tangentially elongated groups, with

few scattered sieve tubes. Anatomy dif-
ficult to interpret.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

144
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 9.1 11 13 21 22 24 30 36 39.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 61 67 69 70.3 78 89 96 98 105 114
Twig bark: B4 B6 B9 B5.4
Pith: P1 P4 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in
radial pattern. Vessels in short radial
multiples and in clusters. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Parenchyma-like fiber bands
alternating with ordinary fibers. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Radial flat
marginal fibers. Parenchyma scanty
›T ›T
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands. Less than 4 rays per mm.
Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-

Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman

ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Helical thick-
enings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessels length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 10 seriate.

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T ›T

145
 Hirtellina lobelii (DC.) Dittrich = Staehelina lobelii DC.
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 60 cm high, with nu-
merous erect, slender stems, branched
only in the region of inflorescences. A
rare indigenous species on Cyprus, oc-
curring on fissures of limestone rocks
(500-800 m alt.). Found also in south-
ern Turkey, Lebanon and Crete.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
No slide available.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Hirtellina lobelii (DC.) Dittrich

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.

›T ›T

146
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 9.1 11 13 21 22 25 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 61 69 70.3 78 79 89 98 109 114 136
Twig bark: No slide available.
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and radial pattern. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 elements and in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Vessels in two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Radial flat marginal fib-
ers. Axial parenchyma scanty paratra-
cheal to vasicentric. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma in marginal or in seemingly
marginal bands. Less than 4 rays per
›T ›T
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray. Prismatic crystals
present.

›T ›T

Tangential section Hirtellina lobelii (DC.) Dittrich

Rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

147
 Limbarda crithmoides (L.) Dumort. subsp. longifolia
(Arcang.) Greuter = Inula crithmoides L.
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 80 cm high. Leaves
numerous, linear or oblanceolate, suc-
culent. Distributed in throughout west-
ern Europe, the Mediterranean coasts
and the Atlantic islands. Indigenous to
Cyprus, found near salt lakes and salt
marshes in costal areas (0-50 m alt.).
Limbarda crithmoides (L.) Dumort. subsp. longifolia (Arcang.) Greuter

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Fibers grouped.
Sclereids scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Acicular crystals present. Dark
staining substances in the transition
zone between cortex and phellem.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in po-
larized light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or
more. Mean tangential diameter of ear-
lywood vessels less than 20 μm. Less
than 4 rays per mm. Rays uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide. ›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Crystal sand
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Axial cells in regular
rows (radial section).

›T ›T

148
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 8 9 9.1 13 21 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 60 61 69 78 96 99 102 103 105 115
Twig bark: B1 B6 B9 B14 B15 B18 B21 B31 B14.3
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels pre-
dominantly solitary or in short radial
multiples, showing a dendritic pattern.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. More than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

Limbarda crithmoides (L.) Dumort. subsp. longifolia (Arcang.) Greuter

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to interves-
sel pits in size and shape throughout
the ray cell. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate, the latter
more than 1 mm high.

Wood basic density: 0,47 g/cm³

›T ›T

149
 Phagnalon rupestre (L.) DC. subsp. rupestre
African Fleabane
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erected or sprawling, much-branched
subshrub up to 50 cm high. Young
stems densely white-tomentose, be-
coming glabrous and dark brown on
old growths. Indigenous to eastern
Mediterranean region. In Cyprus it oc-
curs in garigue, on dry and rocky sites
(0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
in tangentially elongated groups with
sieve tube and parenchyma cell.

Xylem
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Phagnalon rupestre (L.) DC. subsp. rupestre

›T

Pith
Pith shape roundh. Cells dimorphic.
Heterogeneous pith. Unlignified cells
present. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles clearly separate. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

150
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 58 60 61 69 70 78 79 89 96 98 102 103 105 115
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B14
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P4.1 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous to diffuse-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Vessels of two distinct diam-
eter classes. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to
very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric.
Apotracheal parenchyma in seemingly
›T ›T
marginal bands. Rays 4-12 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple

Phagnalon rupestre (L.) DC. subsp. ruperstre

to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseri-
ate and up to 10 seriate. Larger rays
height commonly more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,90 g/cm³

›T ›T

151
 Ptilostemon chamaepeuce (L.) Less. subsp. cyprius (Greuter) B. Slavík
et Chrtek = Ptilostemon chamaepeuce (L.) Less. var. cyprius Greuter
Asteraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 1,3 m high.
Young branches densely white-tomen-
tose, old branches greyish. The sub-
species is endemic to Cyprus, occur-
ring on rocky slopes and rock fissures
on calcareous and indigenous forma-
tions (50-1600 m alt.).
Ptilostemon chamaepeuce (L.) Less. subsp. cyprius (Greuter) B. Slavík et Chrtek

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Fibers
in tangential rows, scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled parenchyma
cells.

Xylem
Earlywood vessels length 100-200 μm.
All ray cells upright and square.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Crystal druses present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

152
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 8 11 13 22 26 30 40.2 45 50.2 53.1 56 58 61 70 70.3 78 79 89 96 97 103 109 115
Twig bark: B3 B4 B9 B12 B5.3
Pith: P1 P4.1 P5 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Asteraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by radi-
ally flatted latewood fibers and by initial
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous to diffuse-porous.
Vessels in radial/diagonal pattern, pre-
dominantly in clusters. Mean tangential

Ptilostemon chamaepeuce (L.) Less. subsp. cyprius (Greuter) B. Slavík et Chrtek

diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Tyloses and deposits in heart-
wood vessels. Fibers very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal
to vasicentric. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate. Intervessel pits me-
dium (7-10 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 2-3 seriate. Larger rays more than
1 mm high.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

153
 Berberis cretica L.
Barberry
Berberidaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub, up to 2 m high. Bark
reddish-brown. Leaves of long shoots
transformed into three-partite spines.
Leaves in fascicles in the axils of the
spines. Indigenous to Cyprus, growing
in pine forests and on screes (900-
1950 m alt.). It also occurs in Greece,
Crete, the Aegean islands and Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Only some rays become dilated.
Sclereids in tangential rows and scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Single
lignified cells scattered in phellem.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Larger rays com-
monly 4 to 10 seriate. Rays 4-12 per
mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled cells present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells arranged almost in
regular rows (radial section). ›T
Berberis cretica L.

›T

154
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 8 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 31 36 40.2 48 52.3 60 61 69 78 99 102 109 114
Twig bark: B1 B2 B6 B15 B17 B18 B34
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Berberidaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels in diagonal and radial
pattern. Vessels in radial multiples of
2 to 4 and in clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 20-40 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Less than 4 rays
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to intervessel pits in size
and shape throughout the ray cell, or
rounded with large apertures. Helical
thickenings mainly in narrower vessel
elements. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly more than 10
seriate. Ray height more than 1 mm.
Berberis cretica L.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

155
 Alnus orientalis Decne.
Oriental Alder
Betulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 20 m high. Twigs
rather slender, glabrous. Leaves al-
ternate, ovate or oblong, with 2-3 cm
long petiole. Indigenous to Cyprus,
found abundantly along rivers and
main streams with considerable water
flow (0-1550 m alt.). Also indigenous
to Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tube present. Fibers in tangential
rows, sclereids scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals and crys-
tal druses present. Cortex homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples.
Solitary vessels outline angular. Fibers
thin-walled.

›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular. Cells dimorphic.
Prismatic crystals present. Pits grouped
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
Alnus orientalis Decne.

rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem

in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

156
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 10 11 14 16 21 24 30 41 50.1 53.1 61 69 70.2 76 96 101 104 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B12 B18 B20 B22 B31 B14.3
Pith: P1.2 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Betulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in
radial multiples of 2 to 4 or more ele-
ments, and in clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2.
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Tension wood
present. Axial parenchyma diffuse.
Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
more than 10 bars. Inter-vessel pits
opposite, minute (less than 4 μm in di-
ameter). Earlywood vessels length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate. Aggregate
rays present.
Alnus orientalis Decne.

Wood basic density: 0,36 g/cm³

›T ›T

157
 Corylus avellana L.
European Hazel, Common Hazel
Betulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 15 m high.
Leaves are alternate, rounded, 6–12
cm long and across, softly hairy on
both surfaces. Fruit a one-seeded,
ovoid nut. Naturalized in Cyprus, it
occurs along streams and on cultivated
ground (500-1200 m alt.). Native to
Europe and western Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Distinct
ray dilatation. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Fibers and scle-
reids grouped. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Phellem homo-
geneous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
consist of thick-walled cells. Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
Corylus avellana L.

rows.

›T ›T

158
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 10 14 15 22 25 30 36 40.2 50.1 53.2 60 61 69 70.2 76 86 97 101 104 106 116.1
Twig bark: B4 B5 B7 B9 B14 B15 B19 B20 B22 B31 B14.3
Pith: P1 P2 P3 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Betulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and
in radial multiples up to 4 or more.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Vessels per mm2
100-200. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Tension wood present. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma diffuse and in narrow bands
or lines up to three cells wide. Rays
12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
less than 10 bars. Inter-vessel pits
alternate, small (4-7 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length more
than 500 μm. Vascular and/or vasi-
centric tracheids present. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). Some rays with procum-
bent cells, larger rays with body cells
procumbent and one row of square
marginal cells.
›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Aggregate rays present.
Corylus avellana L.

Wood basic density: 0,47 g/cm³

›T ›T

159
 Ostrya carpinifolia L.
Hop Hornbeam
Betulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A deciduous tree up to 24 m high
with a conical or irregular crown and a
scaly, rough bark. Leaves alternate and
double-toothed, 3–10 cm long. Fruit in
pendulous clusters with 6–20 seeds. It
occurs in central and souther Europe
(300-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Fibers
and sclereids in groups. Prismatic crys-
tals and crystal druses present. Phloem
uniform. Cortex homogeneous.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. All cells thick-walled. Cells di-
morphic. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
Ostrya carpinifolia L.

metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

160
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 10 13 22 30 36 40.2 49 53.1 60 61 69 76 77 97 104 116.2 136 136.1
Twig bark: B4 B9 B14 B15 B19 B20 B22 B8 B14.1
Pith: P1 P2 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Betulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and
by marginal parenchyma cells. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Vessels in radial multiples of 4
or more elements common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2.
Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial pa-
renchyma diffuse in aggregates. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate. Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessels
length 200-500 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells procum-
bent. Prismatic crystals in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Ostrya carpinifolia L.

Wood basic density: 0,82 g/cm³

›T ›T

161
 Echium angustifolium Mill.
Narrow–leaved Bugloss, Hispid Viper’s-bugloss
Boraginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling perennial subshrub
10-60 cm high. An Eastern Mediterra-
nean species, distributed From Greece
to Egypt and Libya. Indigenous to
Cyprus, where it is locally common on
rocky and sandy seashores, roadsides,
dry banks and hillsides (0-1000 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Cell content in pa-
renchyma cells of the cortex. Phellem
consist of large, collapsed, thin-walled
cells.

Xylem
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Rays absent or extremely rare or not to
recognizable.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
Echium angustifolium Mill.

shape round. Unlignified cells pre-

sent. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

162
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 49 52.3 58 62 69 78 89 89.1 98 100.2 109 115
Twig bark: B8 B28
Pith: P1 P3.4
.2 P12

Boraginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
initial marginal parenchyma bands.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
and small clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Ves-
sels of two distinct diameter classes.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma cells in mar-
ginal or in seemingly marginal bands,
thin-walled, dark in polarized light.
Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Echium angustifolium Mill.
Some rays partially disappear in polar-
ized light.

Wood basic density: 0,41 g/cm³

›T ›T

163
 Lithodora hispidula (Sm.) Griseb. subsp. versicolor Meikle
Boraginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, much branched shrub,
1-1,5 m high, with hairy shoots. The
flowering shoots are spinescent when
dead. Leaves with long and stiff hairs.
Indigenous to Cyprus, very common
in many areas with garigue vegetation
or open forests (0-1000 m alt.). Indig-
enous also in Turkey and Syria.

TWIG ANATOMY
Lithodora hispidula (Sm.) Griseb. subsp. versicolor Meikle

Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
and sclereids scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Sclereids in tangential rows,
too. Cell content in parenchyma cells.

Xylem
Vessels predominately solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Fibers very thick-
walled.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances). Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa- ›T
rate to not distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T

164
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9.1 11 13 21 22 25 30 36 39.1 40.1 45 50.1 52.3 62 69 76 78 89 98 109 114
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B9 B13 B15 B17 B18 B28
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Boraginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands and by a
lack of vessels in terminal latewood.
Wood semi-ring-porous to diffuse-
porous. Vessels in short radial multi-
ples and in clusters. Vessels cell wall
thick (more than 2 μm). Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
›T ›T
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands. Less than 4 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel

Lithodora hispidula (Sm.) Griseb. subsp. versicolor Meikle

pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

165
 Onosma caespitosa Kotschy
Boraginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Loosely tufted perennial subshrub up
to 30 cm high; twigs covered with rigid
hairs. Endemic to Cyprus, growing on
cliffs of limestone along the Pentadak-
tylos range (300-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Cortex consist
of large and small thin-walled paren-
chyma cells. Prismatic crystals present.
Lignified cells in cortex.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Onosma caespitosa Kotschy

Pith shape round. Medullary sheath

present. Unlignified cells present.
Laticifers or intercellular canals pre-
sent. Vascular bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

166
Stem xylem: 2 5 7 9 11 13 21 24 36 40.1 45 49 52.3 69 79.1 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B18 B20 B34
Pith: P1 P2 P3.4 P7 P10.2

Boraginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal and
radial pattern. Vessels solitary or in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels less than 20 μm, 40-
100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of two
distinct diameter classes. Fibers thin-
to thick-walled. Parenchyma pervasive.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Helical thickenings in ves-
sel elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm.

Tangential section Onosma caespitosa Kotschy

Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T

167
 Onosma fruticosa Sm.
Cyprus Golden-Drop
Boraginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, evergreen shrub 20-
80 cm high, with stiffly hairy shoots
and leaves. Endemic to Cyprus, found
in many areas with garigue vegetation
(0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Dark staining sub-
stances in parenchyma cells of the
cortex. Cortex uniform.

Xylem
As stem wood. The first growth ring
distinctly differs to the others because
of a lack in vessels and abundance of
thick-walled fibers.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cell content pre-
sent (dark staining substances). Pits in
transverse cell walls. Vascular bundles
Onosma fruticosa Sm.

clearly separate. Tracheary elements of

metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

168
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 11 13 22 24 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 58 62 69 89 89.1 117
Twig bark: B8 B28 B14.1
Pith: P1 P3.3 P5 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Boraginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and radial pattern, predominantly in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Apotracheal
parenchyma in marginal or in seem-
ingly marginal bands, dark in polarized
light.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Onosma fruticosa Sm.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

169
 Onosma mitis Boiss. et Heldr.
Boraginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub, 15-50 cm high; stems and
leaves densely hairy. Native of Cyprus
and southern Turkey, rather unusual,
confined to the southwestern part of
the Troodos range (400-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Phellem consist of
squared cells and collapsed cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Onosma mitis Boiss. et Heldr.

Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith

shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct.

›T

›T

170
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 11 13 22 25 40.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 58 61 69 78 89 89.1 117
Twig bark: B8 B32
Pith: P0.1 P1 P3 P3.4 P10.2

Boraginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and
in small groups. Mean tangential di-
ameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Ves-
sels of two distinct diameter classes.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in marginal
or in seemingly marginal bands. Paren-
chyma marginal thin-walled, dark in
polarized light.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section Onosma mitis Boiss. et Heldr.

Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,47 g/cm³

›T ›T

171
 Alyssum akamasicum B.L. Burtt
Akamas Alison
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A subshrub or perennial herb with
erect or decumbent stems up to 40
cm long. Stems and leaves densely
covered with stellate hairs. Endemic to
Cyprus. It occurs on dry, rocky hill-
sides and shrubberies with serpentine
rocks, in the Akamas peninsula (0-400
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in radial
rows, scattered or irregularly dis-
persed, sometimes in groups. Cortex
consist of large parenchyma cells,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Alyssum akamasicum B.L. Burtt

Pith
No slide available.

›T

172
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 21 22 25 39.1 40.1 50.2 52.2 61 69 70 78 89 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B16 B18 B19 B31 B33
Pith: No slide available.

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and
in radial multiples of 2 to 4. Vessels
cell wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm. More than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal, and in marginal or seem-
ingly marginal bands.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 50-100 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section Alyssum akamasicum B.L. Burtt

Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,43 g/cm³

›T ›T

173
 Alyssum chondrogynum B.L. Burtt
Kakomallis Alison
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A robust subshrub up to 40 cm high.
Stem and leaves with dense, stellate
hairs. Endemic to Cyprus. It is found
on rocky mountainsides with serpen-
tine ultrabasic rocks (300-100 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers in radial groups.
Cortex consist of large and small thin-
walled parenchyma cells. Phellem ho-
mogeneous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Alyssum chondrogynum B.L. Burtt

Pith
No slide available.

›T

174
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 31 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.2 61 70 78 89.1 98 100.2 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B11 B31 B33
Pith: No slide available.

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary or in short radial multiples.
Vessels cell wall thick (more than 2
μm). Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal, and in marginal or seem-
ingly marginal bands. Rays 4-12 per
mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessels length 50-100 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.

Alyssum chondrogynum B.L. Burtt

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Rays disappear in polarized light.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

›T

175
 Alyssum cypricum Nyar.
Cyprus Alison
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A subshrub up to 30 cm high. Stems
and leaves densely covered with stel-
late hairs. A species native to Cyprus.
It grows on rocky mountainsides of
serpentinised, ultrabasic rocks, on
the central part of the Troodos range
(1100-1950 m alt.). It is indigenous
also to Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Fibers
in large, radially arranged groups. Lo-
cally groups of unlignified parenchyma
cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

Pith
No slide available.
Alyssum cypricum Nyar.

›T

176
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 11 13 22 25 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.2 58 61 70 78 97 105 114 133.2
Twig bark: B4 B11
Pith: No slide available.

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4 or in clusters. Vessels
cell wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. Less than 4 rays per mm. In-
cluded phloem: concentric continuous.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Alyssum cypricum Nyar.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

177
 Alyssum troodi Boiss.
Troodos Alison
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A subshrub up to 30 cm high. Stems
and leaves with densely covered with
stellate hairs. Endemic to Cyprus.
It grows on rocky mountainsides of
serpentinised, ultrabasic rocks, around
Chionistra in the Troodos range (1200-
1950 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in radial
rows, scattered or irregularly dispersed
or in groups. Cortex consist of large
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape triangular to roundish. Cells di-
morphic. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Pits of two distinct
Alyssum troodi Boiss.

size. Vascular bundles in the pith.

›T

178
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 20 22 25 39.1 40.1 50.2 52.2 61 69 70 78 89.1 89.2 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B16 B18 B19 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1.2 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary or in radial multiples of 2 to
4. Vessels cell wall thick (more than 2
μm). Mean tangential diameter of ear-
lywood vessels less than 20 μm, more
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Parenchyma mar-
ginal thin-walled, dark in polarized
light. Ring shake common.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform and alternate, small
(4-7 μm in diameter). Earlywood vessel
element length 50-100 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Alyssum troodi Boiss.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

179
 Arabis cypria Holmboe
Cyprus Rock-Cress
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A subshrub up to 30 cm high. Leaves
with long, stellate hairs. Endemic to
Cyprus, growing in crevices of lime-
stone cliffs and rocks (300-900 m alt.),
mainly on limestone along the Pen-
tadaktylos mountain range.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes arranged in tangential
groups. Cortex consist of large and
small thin-walled parenchyma cells.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in po-
larized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

Pith
No slide available.
Arabis cypria Holmboe

›T

180
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 11 13 20 22 25 39.1 40.1 50.2 53.1 61 69 70 79 89.1 89.2 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B31 B33
Pith: No slide available.

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary, in ra-
dial multiples of 2 to 4 on in clusters.
Vessels cell wall thick (more than 2
μm). Mean tangential diameter of ear-
lywood vessels less than 20 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
vasicentric. Parenchyma marginal thin-
walled, dark in polarized light. Ring
shake. Included phloem: concentric
continuous.
›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform and alternate, small
(4-7 μm in diameter). Earlywood ves-
sel element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers).

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Arabis cypria Holmboe

Wood basic density: 0,40 g/cm³

›T

181
 Arabis purpurea Sm.
Purple Rock-Cress
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A subshrub up to 30 cm high. Leaves
with short stellate hairs. Locally very
common Cypriot endemic. It occurs
in crevices of igneous and calcareous
rocks (400-1800 m alt.), mainly along
the Troodos range.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in
groups. Phellem distinct in polarized
light. Lignified cells in phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Sclereids scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Pits of two distinct size.
Arabis purpurea Sm.

Vascular bundles at the periphery of

the pith.

›T ›T

182
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 20 22 25 39.1 40.1 50.2 53.1 61 69 78 89.1 89.2 117 133.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B19 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P1.1 P3.1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Parenchyma mar-
ginal thin-walled, dark in polarized
light. Ring shake. Included phloem:
concentric continuous.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform. Inter-vessel pits al-
ternate, small (4-7 μm in diameter).
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Arabis purpurea Sm.

Wood basic density: 0,33 g/cm³

›T ›T

183
 Brassica hilarionis Post
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erected or spreading subshrub 50-80
cm high, with thick, fleshy leaves. En-
demic to Cyprus, restricted in fissures
of limestone cliffs along the Pentadak-
tylos mountain range (300-850 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Sclereids in groups.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in po-
larized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogenous pith. Sclereids
present. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
Brassica hilarionis Post

present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content

present (dark staining substances). Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls.

›T ›T

184
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 20 22 26 30 40.1 49 52.2 61 64 78 89 89.1 98 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B19 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P1 P3 P3.1 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary or in
radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessels less than 20 μm, 40-100
vessels per mm2. Parenchyma scanty
paratracheal, apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands, dark in polarized light. Rays
4-12 per mm. Groups of sieve tube into
the marginal parenchyma bands.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform and alternate, me-
dium (7-10 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood
vessel element length 50-100 μm. Fib-
ers with simple to minutely bordered
pits (libriform fibers). Helical thicken-
ings in ground tissue fibers. Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Brassica hilarionis Post

Wood basic density: 0,63 g/cm³

›T ›T

185
 Erysimum kykkoticum Alziar et Hadjik.
Brassicaeae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 50 cm high, including
the inflorescence stalk. Leaves densely
covered with bifid hairs. A rare en-
demic species of Cyprus, which mostly
grows in crevices of igneous, diabase
rocks, occasionally on vertical banks
of abandoned tracks, of northern or
eastern aspects (250-450 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes in tangential rows. Cortex
consist of large and small thin-walled
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Erysimum kykkoticum Alziar et Hadjik.

Pith
No slide available.

›T

186
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 20 24 39.1 40.1 50.2 52.2 58 61 69 89.2 117 133.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B31 B33
Pith: No slide available.

Brassicaeae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ring
shake. Included phloem: concentric
continuous.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform, minute (less than 4
μm in diameter). Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 50-100 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers).

Erysimum kykkoticum Alziar et Hadjik.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,44 g/cm³

›T ›T

187
 Buxus sempervirens L.
Common Box, Boxwood
Buxaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 6 m high, with
glabrous, tetragonal shoots. Leaves
simple, 15-30x7-15 mm, dark green,
leathery. Exotic to Cyprus (150-1700
m alt.), indigenous to some Mediterra-
nean countries an central Europe.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers
grouped. Cortex consist of large and
small thin-walled, unlignified, paren-
chyma cells. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly sep-
arate. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows.
Buxus sempervirens L.

›T ›T

188
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 14 15 21 24 30 40.2 50.1 53.2 60 62 70 76 78 86 97 100 107 108 115
Twig bark: B1 B9 B14 B14.3
Pith: P1.1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Buxaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Fibers very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse and
scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma in narrow bands or lines up
to three cells wide. Rays per mm 4-12.

›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
less than 10 bars. Inter-vessel pits
opposite, minute (less than 4 μm in
diameter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessels length more than
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with distinctly
bordered pits (fiber tracheids). Body
ray cells procumbent with 2 to more
than 4 rows of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rays with multiseriate portions as wide
as uniseriate portions.
Buxus sempervirens L.

Wood basic density: 0,82 g/cm³

›T ›T

189
 Ceratonia siliqua L.
Carob Tree
Caesalpiniaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 10-15 m high,
with a broad crown. Leaves are 10 to
20 cm long, alternate and pinnate.
Indigenous to Cyprus, mostly a con-
stituent of maquis forests (0-600 m
alt.). It is widely cultivated for its edible
legumes. Widespread in the Mediterra-
nean from Portugal to Syria.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Distinct
rays dilatation. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Fibers in tan-
gential rows and scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Sclereids in tangential
rows or in groups. Prismatic crystals
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Phellem homogeneous. Epider-
mis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
First growth ring with few vessels and
very thick-walled fibers. Vessels in
radial multiples of 4 or more common.
›T
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic,
with small cells in lines. Heterogene-
ous pith. Unlignified cells present. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals and crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
Ceratonia siliqua L.

in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-

dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

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190
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 41 45 49 53.1 56 58 61 65 69 70 77 79 83 96 97 105 106 116.1 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B12 B13 B17 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3 P3.4 P4 P5 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Caesalpiniaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary, in
short radial multiples or in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-
100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of two
distinct diameter classes. Tyloses with
thin walls common. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled. Apotracheal
parenchyma diffuse in aggregates.
Paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric to
›T ›T
confluent. Rays 12-20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Septate
fibers present. All uniseriate rays with
square cells. Multiseriate rays com-
posed by procumbent cells with one
row of square marginal cells. Prismatic
crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3(4)
cells.
Ceratonia siliqua L.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

191
 Celtis australis L.
Southern Nettle-Tree, Hackberry
Cannabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 20 m high, with
silver-greyish bark. Flowers inconspicu-
ous green to yellowish; fruit a globose
fleshy dark brown drupe. Naturalized
on Cyprus, with a limited distribution,
although in some part it is locally com-
mon (0-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
in tangential rows. Sclereids mostly
in groups. Prismatic crystals present.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in po-
larized light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm. Ray width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Rays 4-12
per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Pith partially disap-
pears in polarized light. Cells dimor-
phic. Prismatic crystals present. Pits of
two distinct size in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
Celtis australis L.

rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial

section).

›T ›T

192
Stem xylem: 1 3 6 9 11 13 22 26 31 36 42 49 52.3 56 61 69 70.2 79 83 85 96 99 102 103 107 114 136 136.1
Twig bark: B4 B6 B7 B9 B12 B15 B19 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P12 P13

Cannabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels solitary or in clusters.
Vessels arrangement in intra-annual
tangential bands. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
100-200 μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2.
Tyloses with thin walls common. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Tension wood
present. Axial parenchyma vasicentric
and confluent, parenchyma bands
more than three cells wide. Less than 4
rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium size (7-10 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with mostly 2-4
rows of square marginal cells. Prismat-
ic crystals present in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distance size: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.
Celtis australis L.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

193
 Celtis tournefortii Lam.
Oriental Nettle-Tree
Cannabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree or shrub, 2-8 m high.
Very similar to Celtis australis, differ-
ing in its yellow brown fruits and gla-
brous leaves. Indigenous in the eastern
Mediterranean countries, it is very rare
on Cyprus (600-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids in
tangential rows and in groups. Prismat-
ic crystals present. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Rays predominantly 1 to 3 cells wide.
Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Celtis tournefortii Lam.

Vascular bundles clearly separate.

Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

194
Stem xylem: 1 3 6 11 13 22 25 30 36 41 49 52.3 61 69 70.2 77 79 83 96 98 106 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B17 B19 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6 P9 P10.1 P12 P13

Cannabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood. Wood ring-po-
rous. Vessels arrangement in intra-an-
nual tangential bands. Vessel clusters
common. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma vasicentric to conflu-
ent. Apotracheal parenchyma diffuse in
aggregates. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of upright and square margin-
al cells. Prismatic crystals in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 10 seriate.
Celtis tournefortii Lam.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

195
 Capparis spinosa L. (sensu Meikle)
Caper
Capparaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much-branched, deciduous, thorny
shrub up to 1,5 m high. Leaves sim-
ple, alternate, ovate. It occurs on
rocky slopes, in field margins, maquis,
garigue and wasteland (0-900 m alt.).
Also indigenous to other Mediterra-
nean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Only some rays
become dilated. Fibers and sclereids
present, scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Prismatic crystals present.
Phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary. Rays
predominantly uniseriate. Less than 20
rays per mm. Few prismatic crystals.
Capparis spinosa L. (sensu Meikle)

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Pith not visible in
polarized light. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Cells dimorphic. Prismatic crys-
tals present. Pits of two distinct size
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

196
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 9.1 10 13 22 24 30 40.2 45 49 52.3 60 61 69 78 96.1 97 106 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B9 B13 B15 B18 B20 B14.33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P2 P4.1 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P12 P13

Capparaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by marginal
parenchyma cells. Wood ring-porous
to semi-ring-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary or in radial multiples
of 2 to 6 elements. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. More than 20 rays
per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to interves-
sel pits in size and shape throughout
the ray cell. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Body ray cells mostly
procumbent with one row of upright
and square marginal cells. Uniseriate
rays with procumbent, square and up-
right cells mixed throughout the ray.

Capparis spinosa L. (sensu Meikle)

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly 1 to 4 cells.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

197
 Lonicera etrusca Santi
Estruscan Honeysuckle
Caprifoliaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous climber with stems up to
4 m long. Young shoots usually pur-
ple, mainly glabrous. Leaves opposite,
simple, variously petiolate. Indigenous
to Cyprus, growing in thickets, pine
forests and rocky places (300-1500 m
alt.). It is also native in other Mediter-
ranean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential rows.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in po-
larized light. Lignified cells in phellem.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Rays predominantly
uniseriate with upright and squared
cells only. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Heterogeneous pith. Unlignified
cells present. Cells dimorphic. Pits
Lonicera etrusca Santi

in transverse and in longitudinal cell

walls. Pits of two distinct size. Vas-
cular bundles clearly separate to not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

198
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 58 60 62 69 70.3 75 76 96 97 105 109 116.1
Twig bark: B7 B12 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P1 P2 P3 P3.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Caprifoliaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to
4 common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, more
than 200 vessels per mm2. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Radial flat
marginal fibers. Axial parenchyma ab-
sent or extremely rare or not to recog-
nizable, few scatter apotracheal diffuse
parenchyma cells present. Rays 12-20
per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). All ray cells upright and square.
Rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.
Lonicera etrusca Santi

Wood basic density: 0,49 g/cm³

›T ›T

199
 Lonicera japonica Thunb.
Japanese Honeysuckle
Caprifoliaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Climbing species with stems up to 6 m
long. Young shoot hairy. Leaves oppo-
site, oblong to ovate. Exotic to Cyprus,
occurring in gardens and hedges (0-
500 m alt.). Cultivated in Mediterrane-
an countries. Indigenous to south-east
Asia.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present.
Sclereids scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Crystal druses present. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Phellem
homogeneous, consist of thin walled
cells. Phellem distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Rays predominantly
uniseriate with upright and squared
cells only. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape square to roundish.
Medullary sheath present. Heterogene-
Lonicera japonica Thunb.

ous pith. Unlignified cells in the centre

of the pith, lignified parenchyma cells
at the periphery. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles clearly separate. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

200
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 11 13 22 25 31 36 41 45 49 53.1 60 62 69 70.3 78 96 98 108 116.1 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B18 B22 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.4 P2 P3.4 P9 P10.1 P13

Caprifoliaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring to ring-porous.
Vessel clusters common. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. Rays 12-20
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with distinctly
bordered pits (fiber tracheids). Body
ray cells procumbent with over 4 rows
of upright and square marginal cells.
Prismatic crystals in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 10 seriate.
Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

201
 Dianthus cyprius A.K. Jacks. et Turrill
Cyprus Pink
Caryophyllaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Suffrutticose perennial, with sparse,
pendulous and often curved branches,
up to 1 m long. Endemic to Cyprus
growing on limestone rocks and cliffs
on the Pentadaktylos range (350-750
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers in
tangential rows and grouped. Crystal
sand and druses present. Layered phel-
loderm.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Dianthus cyprius A.K. Jacks. et Turrill

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Heterogeneous pith. Thick-walled
and unlignified cells present. Cells
dimorphic. Crystal sand present. Vas-
cular bundles not distinct.

›T

202
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 13 22 24 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.2 61 69 78 89 89.1 117
Twig bark: B1 B12 B14 B22 B23 B29
Pith: P1 P2 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P4 P6.4 P10.2

Caryophyllaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
a marginal parenchyma band. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4 common. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Pa-
renchyma scanty paratracheal. Apotra-
cheal parenchyma in marginal or in
seemingly marginal bands. Parenchyma
marginal thin-walled, dark in polarized
light.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 50-100 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers).

Tangential section Dianthus cyprius A.K. Jacks. et Turrill

Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,43 g/cm³

›T

203
 Silene fruticosa L.
Caryophyllaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A loosely tufted subshrub, 15-50 cm
high. A native of Cyprus growing in
rock crevices and on old walls, with a
limited distribution, although locally
common in some areas (0-600 m alt.).
It is also found in Malta, Sicily, Greece
and Lybia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Crystal druses
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light. Lignified cells
in phellem.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm. Earlywood
vessel element length 100-200 μm.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled and unlignified paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles not distinct.
Silene fruticosa L.

›T

204
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 20 22 26 36 39.1 40.2 50.1 52.2 61 69 78 89 89.1 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B22 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Caryophyllaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
a marginal parenchyma band. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-
200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands, with thin-walled cells, dark in
polarized light.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform and alternate, medium
(7-10 μm in diameter). Helical thicken-
ings in vessel elements. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 50-100 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Silene fruticosa L.

Wood basic density: 0,38 g/cm³

›T ›T

205
 Silene galatea Boiss.
Caryophyllaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub 20-50 m high, with glabrous
suberect stems. Endemic to Cyprus,
thriving on dry rocky slopes in Pine
forests, garigue and screes (750-1200
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Prismatic crystals present. Phellem
consist of thin-walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Unlignified cells present. Pith shape
round. Cells dimorphic. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct.
Silene galatea Boiss.

›T ›T

206
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 13 20 25 39.1 40.1 50.2 53.1 61 69 79.1 117
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B20
Pith: P0.1 P1 P3.1 P4 P10.2

Caryophyllaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled, in tangentially
elongated groups. Parenchyma perva-
sive.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Earlywood vessel element length
200-500 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Silene galatea Boiss.

Wood basic density: 0,63 g/cm³

›T

207
 Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) Delponte et Moris
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, much-branched subshrub 20-70
cm high. Young stems fleshy, older
stems woody. Leaves fleshy, scale-like.
An indigenous halophyte, occurring on
edges of salt lakes and salt marshes
(0-150 m alt.). Indigenous of the Medi-
terranean region, Red Sea, Atlantic
islands and south to Senegal.

TWIG ANATOMY
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) Delponte et Moris

Bark
Crystal druses present. The cortex
consist of large and small parenchyma
cells. The phellem consist of thick-
walled cork cells, distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Vas-
cular bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

208
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 24 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.2 61 69 70 78 117 133.1
Twig bark: B22 B31 B33
Pith: P0.1 P1 P4 P10.2

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in clusters. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Included phloem: concentric arranged
single vascular bundles.

›T ›T

Radial section

Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) Delponte et Moris

Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 50-100 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

209
 Atriplex halimus L.
Shrubby Saltbush, Tree Purslane
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect shrub up to 2 m high, with sil-
very-grey leaves. Bark peeling off in
narrow longitudinal strips. Indigenous
species occurring on sandy and rocky
seashores and sometimes on dry sites
inland (0-350 m alt.). Widespread in
the Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Anatomy difficult to interpret.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Prismatic crystals present. Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles in the pith. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Axial cells in regular
Atriplex halimus L.

rows (radial section).

›T ›T

210
Stem xylem: 1 5 11 13 22 25 39.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.2 61 69 70 78 117 120 133.1 136
Twig bark: B1 B12 B20
Pith: P1 P4 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1 P13

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessel clusters common. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Included phloem: concentric arranged
single vascular bundles.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
Prismatic crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless. Axial parenchyma and
vessels storied.
Atriplex halimus L.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

211
 Atriplex portulacoides L.
= Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Sprawling much-branched subshrub
1,5 m high. Shoots angular in cross
section. Leaves opposite, oblong-ellip-
tic, greyish-green. Indigenous species
occurring on edges of salt lakes and
sea shores (0 m alt.). Indigenous to
western Europe and the Mediterranean
region.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Fibers scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Crystal druses present. The
cortex consist of large and small
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light. Ligni-
fied cells in phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells and
Atriplex portulacoides L.

unlignified cells present. Pits in trans-

verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles in the pith. Vascular
bundles clearly separate. Tracheary el-
ements of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.

›T ›T

212
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 24 39.1 40.1 45 50.2 52.3 61 69 70 78 117 133.1
Twig bark: B13 B22 B31 B33 B34
Pith: P0.1 P1 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1 P12

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in clusters common. Ves-
sels cell wall thick (more than 2 μm).
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm. More than
200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of two
distinct diameter classes. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Included phloem:
concentric arranged single vascular
bundles.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Atriplex portulacoides L.

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T ›T

213
 Atriplex semibaccata R.Br.
Creeping Saltbush, Australian Saltbush
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Prostrate or sprawling subshrub with
stems up to 50 cm long. Leaves usually
opposite, ovate or narrowly oblong. A
naturalised species growing on waste
ground and garigue and on brackish
ground inland (30-250 m alt.). A native
of Australia, probably introduced to
Cyprus as a fodder plant.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Prismatic crystals
present. The cortex consist of large
and small parenchyma cells. Phellem
consist of large and small cork cells.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Heterogenous pith. Thick-walled paren-
Atriplex semibaccata R.Br.

chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.

Crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Pits grouped and of two distinct size.
Vascular bundles in the pith. Vascular
bundles clearly separate.

›T ›T

214
Stem xylem: 1 5 11 13 22 24 39.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.2 58 61 69 70 78 117 133.1 133.2 136
Twig bark: B20 B8 B33
Pith: P3 P3.3 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10 P10.1

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in clusters common. Vessels cell wall
thick (more than 2 μm). Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes, mean
tangential diameter of vessels 20-50
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Included phloem: concentric arranged
single vascular bundles, sometimes
connected in transverse section.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 50-100 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). Prismatic crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Atriplex semibaccata R.Br.

Wood basic density: 0,40 g/cm³

›T ›T

215
 Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb.
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect much-branched subshrub up to
80 cm high. Young shoots fleshy, glau-
cous, with cylindrical jointed branches.
An indigenous halophyte on Cyprus,
occurring on edges of salt lakes and
salt marshes (0 m alt.). Also indig-
enous to the Mediterranean region and
eastward to Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Anatomy difficult to
interpret.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Heterogeneous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Cell dimor-
phic. Pits in transverse and in longitu-
dinal cell walls. Vascular bundles in the
pith. Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

216
Stem xylem: 2 5 9.1 11 13 22 25 36 39.1 40.1 49 52.2 61 78 117 120 133.1
Twig bark: B8
Pith: P0.1 P1.1 P3.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1 P12

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth rings indistinct or absent.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 common. Vessel
clusters common. Vessels cell wall
thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tangen-
tial diameter of vessels less than 20
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Axial pa-
renchyma scanty paratracheal. Includ-
ed phloem: concentric arranged single
vascular bundles.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).

Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless. Axial parenchyma sto-
ried.

Wood basic density: 1,00 g/cm³

›T ›T

217
 Noaea mucronata (Forssk.) Schweinf. et Asch.
Thorny Saltwort
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling, much-branched
subshrub up to 60 cm high. Indig-
enous to Cyprus, occurring on dry pas-
tures, costal garigue, sand dunes and
rocky slopes (0-650 m alt.). Indigenous
to the eastern Mediterranean region,
north Africa and eastward to central
Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Layered phelloderm.
Lignified cells in phellem. Cortex con-
sist of large thin-walled cells. Anatomy
difficult to interpret.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Noaea mucronata (Forssk.) Schweinf. et Asch.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate.

›T ›T

218
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 24 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.3 61 69 70 78 117 133.1
Twig bark: B8 B34 B35
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in clusters common. Ves-
sels cell wall thick (more than 2 μm).
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Included phloem: concen-
tric arranged single vascular bundles.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Intervessel
pits minute (less than 4 μm in diam-
eter). Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).

Noaea mucronata (Forssk.) Schweinf. et Asch.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.

Wood basic density: 0,86 g/cm³

›T ›T

219
 Salicornia fruticosa (L.) L.
Glasswort
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, much branched subshrub 20-70
cm high. Young stems fleshy, older
stems woody, with jointed branches.
Leaves opposite, fleshy, scale-like. An
indigenous halophyte, occurring on
edges of salt lakes and salt marshes
(0-10 m alt.). Indigenous to the Medi-
terranean and the Atlantic islands.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Phloem
uniform. Cell content in phloem and
cortex cells. Phellem homogeneous,
consist of thick-walled cells, distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Salicornia fruticosa (L.) L.

Unlignified cells present. Vascular bun-

dles clearly separate.

›T ›T

220
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 11 13 22 24 39.1 40.1 49 53.1 61 70 78 117 120 133.1
Twig bark: B1 B8 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P0.1 P1 P3.4 P10.1

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of vessels less than 20 μm, 40-100 ves-
sels per mm2. Fibers very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Included phloem: concentric arranged
single vascular bundles.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessels length 200-500
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless. Axial parenchyma and
vessel elements storied.
Salicornia fruticosa (L.) L.

Wood basic density: 0,87 g/cm³

›T ›T

221
 Sarcocornia perennis (Mill.) A.J. Scott
Perennial Glasswort
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub 10-50 m high with creeping,
fleshy stems rooting at nodes. Leaves
opposite, fleshy. And indigenous halo-
phyte of Cyprus, occurring on edges
of salt lakes and salt marshes (0-100
m). Indigenous to the Mediterranean
region, southern and western Europe,
tropical and southern Africa.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Phellem homogeneous. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light. Anatomy
difficult to interpret.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Sarcocornia perennis (Mill.) A.J. Scott

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
star shape. Heterogeneous pith. Unlig-
nified cells present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

222
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 11 13 22 24 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.2 61 69 70 78 117 120 133.1 133.2
Twig bark: B20 B8 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.4 P9 P10.2

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary or in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Included phloem:
concentric arranged single vascular
bundles, sometimes concentric con-
tinuous.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel element length 50-
100 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers).

Sarcocornia perennis (Mill.) A.J. Scott

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless. Axial parenchyma and
vessel elements storied.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

223
 Suaeda aegyptiaca (Hasselq.) Zohary
Aegyptian Sea-Blite
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, much branched subshrub up to
50 cm high, with fleshy leaves. A rare
indigenous halophyte of Cyprus, oc-
curring on edges of salt lakes and salt
marshes (0 m alt.). It is indigenous
also to Libya, Egypt, Israel and east-
ward to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and
southwards to Sudan.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Crystal druses and
crystal sand present. The cortex con-
sist of large and small parenchyma
cells. Lignified cells in phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Suaeda aegyptiaca (Hasselq.) Zohary

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles in the pith.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.

›T ›T

224
Stem xylem: 2 5 9.1 10 13 22 25 30 39.1 40.2 50.1 53.1 61 69 78 79 97 109 115 120 133.1
Twig bark: B22 B23 B8 B34
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4 or more. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal to va-
sicentric. Rays 4-12 per mm. Included
phloem: concentric arranged single
vascular bundles.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray.

Suaeda aegyptiaca (Hasselq.) Zohary

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Axial parenchyma storied.

Wood basic density: 0,49 g/cm³

›T ›T

225
 Suaeda vera Forssk.
True Sea-Blite
Chenopodiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, erect, much-branched shrub
up to 80 cm high, with fleshy leaves.
An indigenous halophyte, occurring on
sandy coasts, edges of salt lakes and
rocky slopes (0-30 m alt.). Indigenous
to the southern and western Europe,
the Mediterranean region and the At-
lantic islands.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
The phloem consist of large and small
parenchyma cells. Phellem with large
and small thin-walled cork cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in longitudinal and transverse cell
walls. Vascular bundles in the pith,
clearly separated.
Suaeda vera Forssk.

›T ›T

226
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 25 36 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.2 58 61 69 78 83 85 89 117 133.1
Twig bark: B8
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1

Chenopodiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels solitary and in clusters. Vessels
cell wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma some-
times scanty paratracheal, often con-
fluent and in bands more than three
cells wide. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
›T ›T
bands. Included phloem: concentric ar-
ranged single vascular bundles.
Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 50-100 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers).

›T ›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Suaeda vera Forssk.

Wood basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T ›T

227
 Cistus creticus L. subsp. creticus
Rockrose, Cretan Rockrose
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 150 cm high. Young shoots
and leaves covered with glandular and
glandular hairs. It is indigenous to cen-
tral and eastern Mediterranean coun-
tries as far as Palestine. Very common
on Cyprus, growing on rocky slopes,
forests and shrublands (0-1800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scle-
renchyma cells in phloem and in cor-
tex. Fibers in tangential rows. Crystal
druses present.

Xylem
Wood semi-ring-porous to diffuse-
porous.

›T
Cistus creticus L. subsp. creticus

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells. Cells
dimorphic. Crystal druses present. Pits
in longitudinal cell walls (radial sec-
tion). Vascular bundles clearly separate
to not distinct.

›T ›T

228
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 20.1 22 25 30 40.2 45 49 58 62 70 76 96 97 103 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B12 B22
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P6.2 P9 P10.1 P10.2

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse. More than 20 rays
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits pseudoscalariform to reticulate
and alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Cistus creticus L. subsp. creticus

Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,71 g/cm³

›T ›T

229
 Cistus ladanifer L.
Gum Cistus, Laudanum
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 2 m high. Young shoots
viscid, with aromatic resin. Leaves
opposite, narrowly lanceolate, upper
surface leathery, glabrous, lower sur-
face grey-tomentose. Native to western
Mediterranean basin, it is a rare natu-
ralized species in Cyprus. It grows in
open pine forests (250-800 m alt.)

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Fibers in tangential rows and
in small groups. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Cell content in parenchyma cells.
Phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances). Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
Cistus ladanifer L.

distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-

lar rows (radial section).

›T

230
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.1 50.1 52.3 62 70 76 78 96 97 109 116.1 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B12 B14 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels less than 20
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse and scanty paratracheal. Rays
12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Prismatic crystals in rays and in
axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and 2 to 3 cells wide.
Cistus ladanifer L.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

231
 Cistus monspeliensis L.
Narrow-Leaved Cistus
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 1 m high. Leaves linear-
lanceolate. It occurs in the Mediter-
ranean countries and the Atlantic
islands. In Cyprus it grows on rocky
slopes, in forests and in shrublands
(0-600 m alt.) on the western part of
the island. Cyprus is the easternmost
boundary of the species distribution.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Phellem homo-
geneous and distinct in polarized light.
All parenchyma cells filled with dark
stained substances.

Xylem
Wood diffuse-porous. No tyloses pre-
sent. Rays exclusively uniseriate. All
ray cells upright and square. More than
20 rays per mm. The first ring consist
of few vessels and very thick-walled
fibers.
›T

Pith
Pith shape oval. Medullary sheath
present. Cells dimorphic. Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Pits grouped
Cistus monspeliensis L.

in transverse walls. Pits of two distinct

size. Vascular bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

232
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 13 22 24 30 36 40.2 50.1 53.1 56 58 61 70 76 78 96.1 97 106 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B9 B12 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P4.2 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.2

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by a
lack of vessels in terminal latewood.
Wood semi-ring-porous to diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Tyloses with thin walls common.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels and fibers. Fibers very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal in
earlywood.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 200-500 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). Body ray cells procumbent
with one row of upright and square
marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Cistus monspeliensis L.

Wood basic density: 0,78 g/cm³

›T ›T

233
 Cistus parvifolius Lam.
Rockrose
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 1 m high. Leaves glau-
cous-green, distinctly three-nerved.
It occurs in the central and eastern
Mediterranean countries. A common
indigenous species to Cyprus growing
on rocky slopes, in forests and thickets
(usually 0-300 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Distinct parenchyma cells dila-
tation. Fibers in tangential rows and
grouped. Prismatic crystals present.
Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Phellem
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Crystal druses pre-
sent. Pits in transverse and in longitu-
Cistus parvifolius Lam.

dinal cell walls. Vascular bundles not

distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

234
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 22 25 30 40.1 50.2 53.1 56 58 62 70 76 78 86 96.1 97 103 105 116.2
Twig bark: B2 B3.2 B9 B12 B14 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by a
lack of vessels in terminal latewood
and by thick-walled latewood fibers.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels less than 20
μm. More than 200 vessels per mm2.
Tyloses with thin walls common. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse and scanty para-
tracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to intervessel pits in size
and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). All ray cells up-
right and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: predomi-
nantly uniseriate, rarely more than 4
seriate.
Cistus parvifolius Lam.

Wood basic density: 0,79 g/cm³

›T ›T

235
 Cistus salvifolius L.
Sage-Leaved Rockrose
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 1 m high with smooth,
hairy stems. Leaves opposite, ovate
or oblong, with upper surface rugose,
lower surface thinly pilose, and dis-
tinctly veined. Widespread in the Medi-
terranean. Indigenous and common on
Cyprus, growing in garigue, maquis
and pine forests (0-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential rows and
grouped. Sclereids in groups. Prismatic
crystals and crystal druses present.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in po-
larized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Cell content present
(dark staining substances). Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls, grouped. Vas-
Cistus salvifolius L.

›T
cular bundles clearly separate to not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T

236
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 31 40.2 50.1 53.1 58 60 61 69 70.2 75 96 106 109 116.2 136 136.1 144 145
Twig bark: B7 B9 B12 B14 B15 B19 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to
4. Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 ves-
sels per mm2. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable. More than
20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
In earlywood vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Ear-
lywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
upright and square marginal cells. Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray. Pris-
›T ›T matic crystals and crystal druses in ray
parenchyma cells.
Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Cistus salvifolius L.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

›T ›T

237
 Fumana arabica (L.) Spach.
Arabian Fumana
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 60 cm high. Stems
usually wiry, spreading, suberect,
densely hairy. Leaves alternate, linear.
It occurs in countries of the central and
eastern Mediterranean and eastward
to Iran. Common species in Cyprus,
growing on rocky slopes, maquis and
garigue (0-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and sieve tubes
present. Fibers in tangential rows, scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Axial parenchyma diffuse. The first
ring consist of few small vessels and
very thick fibers.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
Fumana arabica (L.) Spach.

present. Heterogeneous pith. Thick-

walled parenchyma cells present. Cells
dimorphic. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

238
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 39.1 40.1 50.1 52.3 62 70 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B12 B13 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P3.3 P4.2 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in ter-
minal latewood. Wood diffuse-porous,
vessels predominantly solitary. Vessels
cell wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fib-
ers with distinctly bordered pits (fiber
tracheids). All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Fumana arabica (L.) Spach.

Wood basic density: 0,80 g/cm³

›T ›T

239
 Fumana thymifolia (L.) Webb
Thyme-Leaved Fumana
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 25 cm high. Young
stems thinly or densely hairy. Leaves
opposite or alternate, lanceolate or
narrowly obovate. It occurs in coun-
tries of the Mediterranean and east-
ward to Iran. Common species on
Cyprus, growing on rocky slopes, sand
dunes and garigue (0-1000 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Few scle-
reids in tangential rows or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals present.
Cell content in parenchyma cells. Cor-
tex consist of two distinct layers: one
with thin-walled unlignified cells, the
second with lignified cells.

Xylem
The first ring consist of few small ves-
sels and very thick fibers.

›T

Pith
Fumana thymifolia (L.) Webb

Pith shape round to polygonal. Medul-

lary sheath present. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

240
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 11 13 21 22 24 30 40.1 50.1 52.2 58 62 70 76 78 89 89.1 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B17 B18 B20 B28 B35
Pith: P1 P2 P3.3 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels solitary and in clusters. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels and in ray parenchy-
ma cells. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse and scanty paratra-
cheal. Apotracheal parenchyma in mar-
ginal or in seemingly marginal bands.
Parenchyma marginal thin-walled. Stem
›T ›T
lobed. More than 20 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 50-100 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Fumana thymifolia (L.) Webb

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,82 g/cm³

›T ›T

241
 Helianthemum obtusifolium Dunal
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 25 cm high, with
densely tomentose, suberect stems.
Leaves opposite, lamina lanceolate or
oblong-elliptic. Endemic to Cyprus, it
grows on rocky slopes, in maquis and
garigue (0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
No slide available.

Xylem
The first ring consist of few small ves-
sels and very thick fibers.
Helianthemum obtusifolium Dunal

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round to oval. Medullary sheath
present. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Vascular bundles
not distinct. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T

242
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.1 50.1 52.3 58 62 69 70 76 78 89 89.1 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: No slide available.
Pith: P0.1 P1 P2 P5 P10.2 P12

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal
parenchyma in marginal or in seem-
ingly marginal bands, dark in polarized
light. Stem lobed. More than 20 rays
per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fib-
ers with distinctly bordered pits (fiber
tracheids). All ray cells upright.

Helianthemum obtusifolium Dunal

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,71 g/cm³

›T ›T

243
 Helianthemum stipulatum (Forssk.) C.Chr.
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 40 cm high, with
densely tomentose stems. Leaves op-
posite, ovate or almost linear, with up-
per surface thinly hairy, lower surface
densely grey-tomentose. In Cyprus it
grows on sandy beaches and rocky
slopes (0-200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in
tangential rows and scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Phellem
distinct in polarized light.
Helianthemum stipulatum (Forssk.) C.Chr.

Xylem
Rays predominantly uniseriate. The
first ring consist of few small vessels
and very thick fibers.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogeneous pith. Thick-
walled parenchyma cells present.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Pits in transverse cell
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T

244
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.1 50.1 52.2 56 58 60 62 69 70 76 78 89 96 97 105 116.2 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B17 B18 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P3.3 P5 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels less than 20
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Tyloses
with thin walls common. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse, scanty paratra-
cheal and in marginal or in seemingly
marginal bands. More than 20 rays per
›T ›T
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood
vessel element length 50-100 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). All ray cells up-

Helianthemum stipulatum (Forssk.) C.Chr.

right and square. Prismatic crystals in
ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

245
 Helianthemum syriacum (Jacq.) Dum-Cours.
Cistaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 40 cm high, with
densely tomentose stems. Leaves op-
posite, lanceolate or narrowly ovate,
densely grey-tomentose above and
below. Indigenous in the Mediterranean
countries. In Cyprus it grows on sandy
beaches and rocky slopes with garigue
and phrygana vegetation (0-800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells both in phloem and in cortex. Fib-
ers scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Prismatic crystals and crystal druses
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Phellem distinct in polarized
light.
Helianthemum syriacum (Jacq.) Dum-Cours.

Xylem
The first ring consist of few small ves-
sels and very thick fibers.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Cell content present (dark stain-
ing substances). With prismatic crystals
and crystal druses. Vascular bundles
clearly separate to not distinct. Tra-
cheary elements of metaxylem in dis-
tinct radial rows.

›T ›T

246
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 21 22 24 30 40.1 50.1 53.1 62 69 70 78 96.1 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B13 B20 B22 B28 B33
Pith: P0.1 P1 P2 P5 P6 P6.2 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Cistaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary or short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thick- to very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 200-500 μm. Fib-
ers with distinctly bordered pits (fiber
tracheids). All ray cells upright and

Helianthemum syriacum (Jacq.) Dum-Cours.

square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

247
 Convolvulus dorycnium L.
Bindweed
Convolvulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, much branched subshrub 30-80
cm high, with distinctly hairy stems,
especially towards the base. Leaves al-
ternate, linear. An east Mediterranean
species, extending eastward to Iran. In
Cyprus it occurs on dry stony places,
alongroad sides and fallow land (0-300
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present.
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclereids scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Crystal
druses present. Phellem homogene-
ous.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary. Early-
wood vessel element length 200-500
μm. Axial parenchyma rare, scanty
paratracheal. All ray cells upright and
squared. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
Convolvulus dorycnium L.

present. Heterogenous pith. Fibers pre-

sent. Unlignified cells present. Prismat-
ic crystals present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles in the pith. Vascular bundles
not distinct.

›T ›T

248
Stem xylem: 1 4 11 13 22 26 30 31 39.1 41 45 52.3 62 78 79 89 89.1 96 97 100.2 102 103 109 116.1 144 145
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B18 B22 B31
Pith: P0.1 P1.1 P2 P3 P3.2 P3.4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.2

Convolvulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
large marginal parenchyma bands.
Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessel clusters
common. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es. Axial parenchyma scanty paratra-
cheal to vasicentric. Axial parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands. Parenchyma marginal thin-
walled, dark in polarized light. Rays
12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular with
large apertures. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 100-200 μm. Fibers with
distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Crystal druses in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 5 seriate. Larger rays height
Convolvulus dorycnium L.

more than 1 mm. Rays disappear in

polarized light.

Wood basic density: 0,29 g/cm³

›T ›T

249
 Convolvulus oleifolius var. desertii Desr. Pamp.
Convolvulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 50 cm high, with erect
or spreading, densely hairy stems,
branched from the base. Leaves alter-
nate, narrowly linear. It grows in Libya
and Cyprus, restricted to dry, rocky,
calcareous slopes with phrygana veg-
etation (150-200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Groups
of sieve tube in radial rows. Collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers with unlig-
nified innermost layer present. Crystal
druses present. With secretory ele-
ments in ducts. Cortex consist of large
Convolvulus oleifolius var. desertii Desr. Pamp.

and small thin-walled parenchyma

cells. Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
uniseriate. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Crystal druses present. Vascular
bundles in the pith. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

250
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 22 26 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 61 69 78 89 89.1 96.1 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B3 B4 B22 B25 B26 B31
Pith: P0.1 P1 P3.4 P4.1 P6.2 P10 P10.1 P12

Convolvulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands. Parenchyma marginal thin-
walled, dark in polarized light. En-
closed sieve tubes. More than 20 rays
per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely

Convolvulus oleifolius var. desertii Desr. Pamp.

bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

251
 Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. oleifolius
Convolvulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 50 cm high, with erect
or spreading, densely hairy stems,
branched from the base. Leaves alter-
nate, oblanceolate. Indigenous to cen-
tral and east Mediterranean countries.
In Cyprus it grows in garigue and on
dry, rocky slopes (0-700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Fibers with
unlignified innermost layer present.
Crystal druses present. Cortex consist
of large and small thin-walled paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.
Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. oleifolius

Xylem
Thick-walled fibers. Axial parenchyma
absent or extremely rare or not to rec-
ognisable.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Cells dimorphic. Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

252
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 25 30 39.1 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 62 69 78 96.1 105 116.2 144 146
Twig bark: B1 B4 B9 B10 B18 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P0.1 P1 P4.1 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Convolvulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
thick-walled latewood fibers and by a
lack of vessels in terminal latewood.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
or in clusters. Vessels cell wall thick
(more than 2 μm). Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. More than 20 rays
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). All ray cells
upright and square. Crystal druses in
axial parenchyma cells.

Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. oleifolius

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

253
 Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. pumilus Pamp.
Convolvulaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched subshrub up to 15 cm
high, forming dense, rounded tufts.
Leaves alternate, oblanceolate, densely
covered with silvery hairs. In Cyprus it
is restricted to the southern costal area
(0-20 m alt.) where it grows on rocky
ground or among low shrubs. Found
also in Libya.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Crystal druses present. Secre-
tory elements in ducts present. Cortex
consist of large and small thin-walled
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. pumilus Pamp.

ous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
exclusively uniseriate. Ray dimorphism
absents.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Heterogeneous pith. Unlignified
cells present. Cells dimorphic. Vascu-
lar bundles in the pith. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T ›T

254
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 9.1 13 21 22 25 39.1 40.2 49 53.1 62 69 70 78 89 89.1 96 97 100.2 102 103 105 116.2 144 145
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B22 B25 B26 B31
Pith: P0.1 P1 P2 P3.4 P4 P10 P10.2 P12 P13

Convolvulaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
ring-porous. Vessels solitary and in ra-
dial multiples of 2 to 4 common. Ves-
sels cell wall thick (more than 2 μm).
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 40-100 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal
and in marginal or in seemingly mar-
ginal bands. Parenchyma marginal
thin-walled, dark in polarized light.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 200-500 μm. Fibers with
distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). All ray cells upright and square.
Crystal druses in ray parenchyma cells.

Convolvulus oleifolius Desr. var. pumilus Pamp.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 2-3 cells wide. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm. Rays disappear in
polarized light.

Wood basic density: 0,83 g/cm³

›T ›T

255
 Cornus sanguinea L.
Common Dogwood
Cornaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub, growing 2–6 m high,
with dark greenish-brown branches
and twigs. Leaves opposite, ovate to
oblong with entire margin, deeply
veined. Its natural range covers most
of Europe and western Asia. It is espe-
cially abundant in riversides, especially
in shady areas and ravines.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers scattered or irregularly
dispersed and in groups. Prismatic
crystals and druses present. Cell con-
tent in parenchyma cells. Cortex
homogeneous. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Rays exclu-
sively uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Heterogeneous pith. Unlignified
cells present. With crystal druses and
crystal sand present. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
Cornus sanguinea L.

rows.

›T

256
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 14 17 21 26 31 41 49 53.1 62 70 77 97 107 116.2
Twig bark: B7 B9 B13 B14 B20 B22 B28 B31 B14.3
Pith: P0.1 P1 P2 P3 P3.4 P6.2 P6.4 P12

Cornaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
predominantly solitary. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels per
mm2. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial pa-
renchyma diffuse in aggregates. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
20-40 bars. Inter-vessel pits opposite,
medium (7-10 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits rounded or angular with large
apertures. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).
Body ray cells procumbent with mostly
2-4 rows of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Cornus sanguinea L.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

257
 Lomelosia cyprica (Post) Greuter et Burdet
= Scabiosa cyprica Post
Dipsacaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 1,2 m high. Leaves oppo-
site, hairy and greyish-green. An en-
demic species, occurring on dry slopes
in garigue and open pine forests on
both igneous and limestone forma-
tions (150-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Prismatic crystals present.
Phellem consist of large thin-walled
cork cells.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina less than 20 μm. Fibers
Lomelosia cyprica (Post) Greuter et Burdet

very thick-walled.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped. Pits of two distinct
size. Vascular bundles clearly separate
to not distinct. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

258
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 22 25 30 40.2 50.1 53.1 62 69 70.3 75 76 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B20 B35
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Dipsacaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma extremely rare, diffuse. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to intervessel pits in size
and shape throughout the ray cell. Ear-
lywood vessel element length 200-500
μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). All ray cells upright
and square.

Lomelosia cyprica (Post) Greuter et Burdet

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,53 g/cm³

›T ›T

259
 Pterocephalus multiflorus Poech subsp. multiflorus
Pterocephalus
Dipsacaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched shrub up to 1 m high,
with erect or spreading branches.
Leaves opposite, elliptic, tapering at
apex and base. Endemic to Cyprus. It
occurs in phrygana, on rocky slopes,
maquis and open pine forests on lime-
stone and igneous formations (150-
1900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Prismatic crystals and acicular present.
Phellem consist of large thin-walled
Pterocephalus multiflorus Poech subsp. multiflorus

cork cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith round in shape. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal druses present. Pits transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls (radial
section). Vascular bundles not distinct.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).
›T

›T

260
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 11 13 22 25 30 31 36 40.2 45 49 53.1 62 69 76 78 96.1 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B3 B20 B21
Pith: P1 P4.1 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P13

Dipsacaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels in diagonal and radial pattern,
predominantly in clusters. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse and scanty paratra-
cheal. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.

Pterocephalus multiflorus Poech subsp. multiflorus

Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular with
large apertures. Helical thickenings in
vessel elements present. Earlywood
vessel element length 200-500 μm.
Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,53 g/cm³

›T ›T

261
 Pterocephalus multiflorus Poech subsp. obtusifolius
Holmboe
Dipsacaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, low shrub up to 1 m
high with erect or spreading branches.
Leaves obovate or subspathulate, ob-
tuse. Endemic to Cyprus. It occurs on
dry calcareous slopes (0-800 m alt.).
Pterocephalus multiflorus Poech subsp. obtusifolius Holmboe

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Groups
of sieve tube in radial rows. Collapsed
sieve tubes present. Prismatic crystals
present. Phellem consist of large thin-
walled cork cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells di-
morphic. Crystal druses present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits in transverse cell walls. Vas-
cular bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

262
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 11 13 22 24 30 36 40.1 45 50.2 53.2 58 62 64 69 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B3 B4 B20 B30
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Dipsacaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood ring-porous
to semi-ring-porous. Vessels solitary or
in clusters. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Ves-
sels of two distinct diameter classes.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Pterocephalus multiflorus Poech subsp. obtusifolius Holmboe

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length more than 500 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Helical thickenings in ground
tissue fibers. All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

263
 Diospiros kaki Thunb.
Japanese Persimmon, Kaki Persimmon
Ebenaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to ten m high. Its
leaves are dark green, broadly lanceo-
late, stiff and equally wide as long.
Cultivation of the fruit extended from
East Asia, north and south America and
Europe. Cultivated on Cyprus.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
grouped. Sclereids in tangential rows.
Prismatic crystals present. Phellem
homogeneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
With prismatic crystals. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Diospiros kaki Thunb.

Vascular bundles clearly separate to

not distinct. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T

264
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 21 25 30 39.1 42 45 47 53.1 58 60 61 69 70.2 76 78 86 97 100 108 115 119 120 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B14 B15 B17 B20 B31
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Ebenaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries clearly demar-
cated. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to 4
elements. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 100-200
μm, 5-20 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Paratracheal paren-
chyma scanty. Apotracheal parenchyma
in narrow bands or lines up to three
›T ›T
cells wide. Rays per mm 4-12.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with over 4 rows
of upright and square marginal cells.
Prismatic crystals in axial parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rays with multiseriate portions as wide
as uniseriate portions. Rays, axial pa-
renchyma and vessel elements storied.
Diospiros kaki Thunb.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

265
 Elaeagnus angustifolia L.
Oleaster
Elaeagnaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub or small tree up to 8
m high; leaves with silvery, flat, scaly
hairs. A naturalized species in Cyprus,
naturalized on uncultivated slopes and
cultivated in gardens, parks and road-
side plantations as ornamental (0-1400
m alt.). Native to western Asia extending
eastward up to northern China.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Groups
of sieve tube in tangential rows.
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Scle-
reids in tangential rows and scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Crystal sand
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Phellem homogeneous. Epider-
mis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 20-50 μm. Rays pre-
dominantly uniseriate. More than 20
rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
Elaeagnus angustifolia L.

substances). Crystal sand present. Pits

in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped. Vascular bundles
not distinct.

›T ›T

266
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 36 41 50.1 52.3 60 62 69 70.2 76 78 86 96 98 103 104 106 114
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B17 B18 B23 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P4 P5 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.2

Elaeagnaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood, and by zones
with fibers of variable cell wall thick-
ness. Wood ring-porous. Vessels in
diagonal pattern, solitary, in clusters
or in radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Tension wood present. Axial parenchy-
ma diffuse. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
›T ›T
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. Less than 4 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). All ray cells procumbent. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
upright and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 10 seriate.
Elaeagnus angustifolia L.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

267
 Arbutus andrachne L.
Eastern Strawberry Tree
Ericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub, 3-5(10) m high, with
a characteristic smooth bark, which is
reddish in winter peeling off to green
towards summer. Native to Cyprus, com-
mon in medium and high altitude (700-
1500 m). Indigenous to Mediterranean
countries from Albania to Palestine, and
from Crimea to the Caucasus.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Some rays become dilated. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Pris-
matic crystals present. Phellem homo-
geneous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominately in clusters.
Body ray cells procumbent with over 4
rows of squared marginal cells. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles not distinct. Tracheary ele-
Arbutus andrachne L.

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial

rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

268
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 61 65 69 76 78 96 97 105 106 107 115
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B6 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Ericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels solitary or in small clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, more than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse and
scanty paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Septate fibers present. Ray cells
square, in some ray with 1-3 row of
upright and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Arbutus andrachne L.

Wood basic density: 0,64 g/cm³

›T ›T

269
 Arbutus unedo L.
Strauberry Tree
Ericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub, 3-5 m high, with a
characteristic fissured bark. Native to
Cyprus, with a limited distribution,
found only in Akamas peninsula (30-
80 m alt.). It is common in south-east
Europe towards western Ireland and in
the Mediterranean countries as far as
Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Prismatic crystals present. Phellem
homogeneous and distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Some vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal or vertical apertures.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
With prismatic crystals in axial rows.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Pits of two distinct size in
transverse cell walls. Vascular bundles
not distinct. Axial cells in regular rows
(radial section).
Arbutus unedo L.

›T ›T

270
Stem xylem: 1 4 11 13 22 27 31 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 56 58 61 65 69 70 78 96 97 103 105 106 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B3 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.2 P13

Ericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessel clusters common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels per
mm2. Tyloses with thin walls common.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels. Fibers thick- to very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, large (more than 10 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Septate
fibers present. All ray cells upright and
square. Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of upright or square marginal
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 2-3 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.
Arbutus unedo L.

Wood basic density: 0,58 g/cm³

›T ›T

271
 Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull
Common Heather
Ericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A low-growing perennial shrub 20-50
cm high. Small scale-leaves (less than
2–3 mm long) borne in opposite and
decussate pairs. It is found widely in
Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils
in open sunny situations and in moder-
ate shade.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Phloem uniform.
Layered phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull

Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse

and in longitudinal cell walls, in thick-
walled cells, thin-walled cells without
pits. Vascular bundles not distinct.

›T

272
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 21 24 30 40.1 50.2 52.3 61 69 76 96 105 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B8 B31 B29
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Ericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
predominantly solitary. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels less
than 20 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse. Rays 4-12 per
mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessels length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate.
Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull

Wood basic density: 0,73 g/cm³

›T ›T

273
 Erica arborea L.
Tree Heath
Ericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An evergreen shrub up to 4 m high.
Leaves needle-like. It grows mostly on
acid soil in dry evergreen shrublands,
surrounding the Mediterranean Basin
and west to Portugal, Canary and Ma-
deira islands.

Photo: Piermattei
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tubes and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and cortex. Fibers and sclereids in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Cell content in parenchyma cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cell dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate.
Erica arborea L.

›T ›T

274
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.2 50.1 53.1 61 69 76 77 78 97 98 103 106 107 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B12 B15 B17 B20 B11
Pith: P1 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Ericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse in aggregates and
scanty paratracheal. Rays per mm 4-12.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessels-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sels length 200-500 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). Body ray cells procumbent
with 1-4 rows of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes. Ray width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Erica arborea L.

Wood basic density: 0,72 g/cm³

›T ›T

275
 Erica sicula Guss. subsp. libanotica (Barb. Boiss. et
Barbey) P.F. Stevens
Ericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 65 cm high.
Leaves linear in whorls of 4. Native to
Cyprus, with limited distribution, grow-
ing in fissures of limestone rocks (250-
850 m alt.). It is also found in Sicily,
southern Turkey, Lebanon and Libya.
Erica sicula Guss. subsp. libanotica (Barb.Boiss. et Barbey) P.F. Stevens

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Some rays become dilated. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers in tangential rows and scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape squared. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances). Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate to not distinct.

›T ›T

276
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.1 49 52.3 56 58 61 69 70 76 78 86 96 97 98 103 105 109 116.2
Twig bark: B6 B7 B12 B13 B28 B33 B34
Pith: P1.4 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2

Ericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm, 40-100 ves-
sels per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls
common. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to very

Erica sicula Guss. subsp. libanotica (Barb.Boiss. et Barbey) P.F. Stevens

thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
to parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in narrow
bands or lines up to three cells wide.
›T ›T
More than 20 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Uniseriate ray cells
square. Multiseriate rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes. Rays pre-
dominantly uniseriate. Larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate.

Wood basic density: 0,75 g/cm³

›T ›T

277
 Euphorbia hierosolymitana Boiss.
Woody Spurge
Euphorbiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Glabrous shrub up to 1 m high, with
milky latex. Leaves opposite, elliptic to
obovate. A very rare indigenous spe-
cies to Cyprus, occurring on dry slopes
in garigue and maquis (100-500 m
alt.). An eastern Mediterranean spe-
cies.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Sclereids
in tangential rows. Crystal sand pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Euphorbia hierosolymitana Boiss.

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Unlignified cells present. Crys-
tal druses present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles in the pith. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

278
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 7 10 13 20 21 24 32 40.1 50.1 52.3 61 69 70.2 75 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4.1 B17 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P0.1 P1 P3.4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1 P12

Euphorbiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
pattern. Vessels in radial multiples of 4
or more common. Mean tangential di-
ameter of earlywood vessels less than
20 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Tension wood
present. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform. Inter-vessel pits op-
posite, minute (less than 4 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal or vertical apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright.

›T

Tangential section Euphorbia hierosolymitana Boiss.

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,33 g/cm³

›T ›T

279
 Euphorbia thompsonii Holmboe
Thompson’s Spurge
Euphorbiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Robust, erect, tomentose perennial
herb with biennial flowering stems,
containing milky latex. A rare indig-
enous species occurring on dry slope
in garigue, maquis and pine forests
(50-400 m alt.). An east Mediterranean
species restricted to Cyprus and south-
ern Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Crystal sand present. With secretory el-
ements in ducts. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Euphorbia thompsonii Holmboe

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Unlignified cells present.
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct.

›T

280
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 10 13 22 26 31 40.1 50.1 52.3 61 69 76 78 89 89.1 96 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B18 B23 B25 B28 B26 B31 B14.3
Pith: P1 P3.4 P10.1 P10.2

Euphorbiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels in diagonal and/or radial pattern.
Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or
more common. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels less than 20
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchy-
ma diffuse. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands, dark in polarized light. Rays 12-
›T ›T
20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Euphorbia thompsonii Holmboe

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,38 g/cm³

›T ›T

281
 Ricinus communis L.
Castor Oil Plant
Euphorbiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 5 m high, with
thick, hollow stems. A naturalised inva-
sive, widely distributed, mainly along
water canals and wastelands, especial-
ly in lowlands (0-500 m alt.). Probably
native to northeast tropical Africa, but
widely cultivated and naturalized in the
warmest part of the world.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Sclereids in tangential rows. Prismatic
crystals present. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled parenchyma
cells. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls,
of two distinct size. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Ricinus communis L.

›T ›T

282
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 9.1 13 21 25 30 41 49 53.1 60 61 67 69 70 96 97 105 116.1
Twig bark: B4 B7 B17 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P12

Euphorbiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
or in radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels
per mm2. Parenchyma-like fiber bands
alternating with ordinary fibers. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled. Rays 12-20
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Ricinus communis L.

Wood basic density: 0,40 g/cm³

›T ›T

283
 Alhagi graegorum Boiss.
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A spinose subshrub, 30-60 cm high,
very similar to A. maurorum. Leaves
alternate, oblanceolate to ovate, thinly
hairy. An uncommon native to Cyprus,
growing mostly near coasts or a weed
in inland cereal fields (0-150 m). Na-
tive of east-Mediterranean countries
towards Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sieve tube in clusters. Collapsed sieve
tubes present. Distinct rays dilatation.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in small groups. Prismat-
ic crystals and crystal druses present.
With secretory elements in ducts. Cell
content in parenchyma cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells. Cells
Alhagi graegorum Boiss.

dimorphic. Cell content present (dark

staining substances). Prismatic crystals
present. Pits in transverse and longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate to not distinct. Axial
cells in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

284
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 41 45 49 52.3 56 58 61 67 69 78 96 97 102 103 105 116.2 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B5 B7 B14 B20 B22 B25 B28
Pith: P1.2 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels solitary and in radial multiples of
2 to 4. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Tyloses
with thin walls common. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Parenchyma-like fiber bands alternat-
ing with ordinary fibers. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. More than 20 rays per
›T ›T
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square. Prismatic
crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate an
2-3 cells wide. Larger rays height more
Alhagi graegorum Boiss.

than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T ›T

285
 Alhagi maurorum Medik.
Camel Thorn
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A spinose subshrub, with glaucous,
glabrous shoots, pinkish flowers; fruit
a cylindrical, dry pod. An uncommon
native to Cyprus, occurring mostly
near coastal areas (0-150 m). Native of
east-Mediterranean countries towards
Iran and other Asian countries.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Distinct
rays dilatation. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Fibers grouped.
Prismatic crystals present. With large
laticifers, secretory elements, oil ducts
or mucilage ducts. Phellem homoge-
neous. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly in clusters.
Rays usually not more than 3 seriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round to polygonal. Cells
dimorphic. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Prismatic crystals
Alhagi mauroru Medik.

present. Pits in transverse and in lon-

gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

286
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 41 45 49 52.3 61 67 69 78 79 83 96 97 103 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B14 B20 B25 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P1.1 P4.1 P5 P6 P9 P10.1 P12

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in
radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Parenchyma-like fiber bands alternat-
ing with ordinary fibers. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal to vasicen-
tric, sometimes confluent. Rays 12-20
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate an
2-3 cells wide.
Alhagi mauroru Medik.

Wood basic density: 0,38 g/cm³

›T ›T

287
 Anagyris foetida L.
Bean Trefoil
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 3 m high.
Leaves with 3 leaflets, flowers in ra-
cemes, yellow with brown blotches.
Native to Cyprus, usually occurring on
limestone slopes with shrubby vegeta-
tion (0-1200 m alt.). Indigenous also
in many other Mediterranean countries
and eastward to Iran and Arabia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Fibers and
sclereids in groups. Phellem homoge-
neous. Phellem and epidermis distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Earlywood vessels
length 200-500 μm. Rays predominant-
ly uniseriate, 12-20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly sep-
arate. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
Anagyris foetida L.

›T
in regular rows (radial section).

›T

288
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 11 13 22 30 41 45 52.3 58 60 61 67 69 70.2 70.3 79 83 86 89 89.1 96 98 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B14 B19 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring to
diffuse-porous. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100
μm. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to
very thick-walled. Parenchyma-like
fibers alternating to ordinary fibers.
Paratracheal parenchyma confluent.
Apotracheal parenchyma in marginal or
in seemingly marginal bands, dark in
›T ›T
polarized light. Rays 12-20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to inter-vessel pits in size
and shape. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Anagyris foetida L.

Wood basic density: 0,58 g/cm³

›T ›T

289
 Argyrolobium uniflorum (Dec.) Jaub. et Spach
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub 5-20 cm high, with yellow
flowers; fruit a linear grey-brown pod.
A very rare native to Cyprus, recorded
in garigue vegetation in northern Cy-
prus (0-100 m alt.). Indigenous also to
north Africa, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon
and Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of collapsed sieve tube pre-
sent. Fibers scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals present.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Argyrolobium uniflorum (Dec.) Jaub. et Spach

›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular to roundish. Het-
erogeneous pith. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

290
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.1 49 52.2 61 70 70.2 78 96 99 102 103 109 116.2 136 136.1
Twig bark: B4 B13 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1.2 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in ter-
minal latewood. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels in diagonal and radial pattern.
Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4
common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 50-
100 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Rays

Argyrolobium uniflorum (Dec.) Jaub. et Spach

with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray. Pris-
matic crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

291
 Astragalus echinus subsp. echinus DC.
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A much branched subshrub, up to 60
cm high. It occurs in two varieties:
chionistrae which is endemic to the
highest part of Troodos (1700-1900
m alt.), and echinus, which is locally
common at mid altitudes (400-1250 m
alt.). The latter is also indigenous to
Syria, Lebanon and Palestine.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Distinct
ray dilatation. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Sclereids in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals
present. Phellem homogeneous and
layered.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Astragalus echinus subsp. echinus DC.

›T ›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell con-
tent, dark staining substances. Axial
cells in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

292
Stem xylem: 1 2 3 4 11 13 20 22 27 30 39.1 41 45 47 52.3 61 69 70 77 78 86 89 99 100.2 102 108 114 120
Twig bark: B1 B5 B7 B15 B17 B20 B31 B29
Pith: P0.1 P1 P4 P5 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
ring-porous to semi-ring-porous. Ves-
sel clusters common. Vessels cell
wall thick. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100
μm. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes, 5-20 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled. Apotracheal
parenchyma diffuse in aggregates or in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. Paratracheal parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
›T ›T
bands. Less than 4 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform to alternate, large
(more than 10 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fib-
ers with simple to minutely bordered
pits (libriform fibers). Body ray cells
procumbent with over 4 rows of square
marginal cells. Prismatic crystals in ray
parenchyma cells.

Astragalus echinus subsp. echinus DC.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays commonly more than 10 seriate.
Ray height more than 1 mm. Rays dis-
appear in polarized light. Axial paren-
chyma and vessel elements stories.

Wood basic density: 0,34 g/cm³

›T ›T

293
 Calycotome villosa (Poir.) Link
Thorny Broom
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, spinose shrub up to 3 m
high. Leaves alternate, compound
with 3 narrowly obovoid leaflets; hairy
particularly below. Flowers yellow, fruit
an oblong, hairy pod. Native to Cy-
prus, locally very frequent (0-1000 m
alt.). Widespread in the Mediterranean
region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Pris-
matic crystals present. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina less than 20 μm.

›T
Calycotome villosa (Poir.) Link

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

294
Stem xylem: 1 1.1 4 8 10 11 13 22 26 30 36 39.1 40.2 45 48 52.3 58 60 61 70 77 79 83 97 103 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B15 B18 B20 B28 B31
Pith: P1 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth rings boundaries clearly de-
marcated rings only along some ra-
dii. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
in dendritic pattern. Vessels in radial
multiples of 4 or more common or in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessel lumina 20-50
μm. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes, 20-40 vessels per mm2. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse in aggregates and
vasicentric to confluent. Rays 4-12 per
›T ›T
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Calycotome villosa (Poir.) Link

Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rays of two distinct sizes.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

295
 Cercis siliquastrum L.
Judas Tree, Red Bud
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub or tree, up to 10 m
high, with broad crown, red-brown
branches and grey bark. Leaves alter-
nate, sub-orbicular to reniform, 6-13
cm in diameter. Native to southeast
Europe and western Asia, it has been
planted in many places (0-1500 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed, and
grouped. Fibers with an innermost
unlignified layer. Sclereids in groups.
Prismatic crystals. Phellem homogene-
ous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Rays mostly
uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells pre-
sent. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances). Pits
Cercis siliquastrum L.

in transverse and in longitudinal cell

walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

296
Stem xylem: 1 3 11 13 22 26 30 36 41 49 53.1 60 61 69 79 83 97 98 103 104 115 120 136 141.1
Twig bark: B4 B6 B7 B10 B9 B13 B14 B15 B19 B20 B31
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
ring-porous. Vessel predominantly in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma vasi-
centric, sometimes confluent. Rays per
mm 4-12.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessels length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells procumbent. Prismat-
ic crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of to distinct sizes. Ray width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate. Axial paren-
chyma and vessel elements storied.
Cercis siliquastrum L.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

297
 Genista fasselata Decne
Thorny Gorse
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched shrub up to 3 m high,
with yellow flowers. Native to Cyprus,
occurring in two varieties: crudelis, en-
demic to Cyprus, confined to Troodos
(1200-1800 m alt.); fasselata with a
much wider distribution on the island
and it is also indigenous to the Aegean
islands, Lebanon and Palestine.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes in tangential rows. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
and sclereids in tangential rows. Ac-
icular crystals present. With secretory
elements in ducts. Phellem distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Wood diffuse-porous. Rays predomi-
nantly uniseriate. All ray cells upright
or square.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Genista fasselata Decne

Vascular bundles clearly separate.

Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion). ›T

›T

298
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 11 13 22 25 30 36 39.1 40.2 45 49 52.3 58 60 61 67 69 70 70.3 78 97 103 106 115 119 120
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B6 B7 B12 B17 B21 B25 B26 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
in diagonal and/or radial pattern or in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes, mean tangential di-
ameter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Parenchyma-like fibre bands alternat-
ing with ordinary fibers. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Parenchyma-like fibre
bands alternating with ordinary fibers.
Body ray cells procumbent with one
row of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rays of two distinct sizes. Low rays
storied, high rays not storied. Axial pa-
Genista fasselata Decne

renchyma and vessel elements storied.

Wood basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T ›T

299
 Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Liquorice
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect subshrub up to 1 m high, with
purplish flowers; fruit a brownish flat
pod. Leaves alternate, compound with
lanceolate leaflets. A naturalized spe-
cies, present in Cyprus as a relict of
cultivation (0-300 m alt.). Widespread
in the Mediterranean coastal countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers irregularly dis-
persed or in groups. Prismatic crystals
present. With laticifers. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples. Earlywood
vessel element length 100-200 μm.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogenous pith. Few scat-
tered thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Pits in transverse
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular

bundles clearly separate from one oth-
er to not distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

300
Stem xylem: 1 2 5 9 13 20 25 32 39.1 40.1 52.2 60 61 70 78 79 97 100.2 109 115 136
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B18 B20 B34
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P10.1 P10.2

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels predominantly solitary. Vessels
cell wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm. Fibers very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays 4-12
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessel-ray pits with large hori-
zontal or vertical apertures. Earlywood
vessel element length 50-100 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Prismatic crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays commonly 1 to 3 seriate. Rays
disappear in polarized light.
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

301
 Hedysarum cyprium Boiss.
Cyprus’ Sainfoin
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or suberect subshrub up to 30
cm high. Leaves alternate, compound
with oblong leaflets. Flowers pinkish,
fruit a flat, one or two seeded pod. A
rare endemic species to Cyprus, oc-
curring on eroded limestone or sand-
stone slopes with garigue vegetation
(150-600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows. Sclereids scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. Parenchy-
ma-like fiber bands alternating with
ordinary fibers. Rays uni- or biseriate.
All cells upright or square.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Hedysarum cyprium Boiss.

Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.

Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Unlignified cells present. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.

›T ›T

302
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 13 20 27 32 39.1 40.1 48 52.2 61 70 89 89.1 98 100.2 109 115 136
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B18 B20
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P10.1 P10.2

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
20-40 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma in
marginal or seemingly marginal bands,
dark in polarized light. Rays 4-12 per
mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform, large (more than 10
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
large horizontal or vertical apertures.
Earlywood vessel element length 50-
100 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray. Pris-
matic crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate. Rays
Hedysarum cyprium Boiss.
disappear in polarized light.

Wood basic density: 0,33 g/cm³

›T ›T

303
 Hippocrepis emerus (L.) Lassen subsp. emeroides (Boiss. et Spruner) Las-
sen = Coronilla emerus L. subsp. emeroides (Boiss. et Spruner) Lassen
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, spinose shrub up to 3 m
high. Leaves alternate, compound, with
glabrous obovate leaflets. Flowers yel-
low, fruit an oblong, hairy pod. Native
to Cyprus, locally very frequent (0-
1000 m alt.). Widespread in the Medi-
terranean basin.
Hippocrepis emerus (L.) Lassen subsp. emeroides (Boiss. et Spruner) Lassen

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Distinct ray dilata-
tion. Sclereids scattered or irregularly
dispersed and in groups. Prismatic
crystals present. Phellem homogene-
ous. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina less than 20 μm.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Heterogeneous pith. Un-
lignified cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Pits in transverse cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

304
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 49 52.3 58 61 67 70 76 79 89 96 97 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B5 B18 B19 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P3.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in diagonal pattern. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Parenchyma-like fiber bands alter-
nation with ordinary fibers. Fibers very
thick-walled. Apotracheal parenchyma
diffuse, paratracheal parenchyma vasi-

Hippocrepis emerus (L.) Lassen subsp. emeroides (Boiss. et Spruner) Lassen

centric. Axial parenchyma in marginal
or in seemingly marginal bands. Rays
›T ›T
12-20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and 1 to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,71 g/cm³

›T ›T

305
 Ononis spinosa L. (Boiss.) subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Širj.
Spiny Resth-harrow
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, spinose subshrub up to 80 cm
high. Leaves alternate, compound, with
3 small, hairy, ovate leaflets with den-
tate margins. Indigenous to Cyprus,
locally common on moist, but also dry
and stony soils (0-1300 m alt.). It is
also found in other east Mediterranean
countries towards Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Ononis spinosa L. (Boiss.) subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Širj.

Groups of sieve tube and collapsed

sieve tubes present. Large rays be-
come dilated. Fibers in tangential rows.
Prismatic crystals present. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Rays 1-3 seriate. All ray cells upright
and square. More than 20 rays per
mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

306
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.2 49 53.1 58 61 70 70.2 76 78 79 86 96 98 102 103 109 115 120 121 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B12 B20 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood, and by zones
with fibers of variable cell wall thick-
ness. Wood ring-porous. Vessels soli-
tary and in radial multiples of 2 to 4
common. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 40-100
vessels per mm2. Gum and other de-
posits in hearwood vessels. Fibers very
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal to vasicentric. Apotracheal
parenchyma in narrow bands or lines
›T ›T
up to three cells wide. Rays 4-12 per
mm.
Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel

Ononis spinosa L. (Boiss.) subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Širj.

pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Rays
with procumbent, square and up-
right cells mixed throughout the ray.
Prismatic crystals in rays and in axial
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm. Axial parenchyma
and vessel elements storied. Fibers
storied.

Wood basic density: 0,41 g/cm³

›T ›T

307
 Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Black Locust
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 25 m high. Stip-
ules spinose. Leaves alternate, com-
pound with ovate leaflets. It is native
to the southeastern United States, but
has been widely planted and natural-
ized elsewhere in temperate hemi-
sphere (0-1800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers in tangential rows
and grouped. Sclereids in groups. Pris-
matic crystals present. Phellem homo-
geneous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominately in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Rays exclusively
uniseriate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Prismatic crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
Robinia pseudoacacia L.

clearly separate. Tracheary elements of

metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

308
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 11 13 22 26 36 42 50.2 52.3 56 61 70 79 86 97 104 116.1 120 136
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B12 B14 B15 B19 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels solitary, and predomi-
nantly in clusters in latewood. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 100-200 μm. More than
200 vessels per mm2. Tyloses with
thin walls common. Fibers very thick-
walled. Paratracheal parenchyma va-
sicentric. Apotracheal parenchyma in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel el-
ement length 100-200 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). All ray cells procumbent.
Prismatic crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Axial parenchyma and vessel elements
storied.
Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Wood basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T ›T

309
 Spartium junceum L.
Spanish Broom
Fabaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 2 m high.
Leaves opposite, narrowly elliptic to
lanceolate. Native of the Mediterra-
nean countries, a constituent of the
xerophytic, sclerophyllous maquis
vegetation. In Cyprus it is found only
as a cultivated species for ornament
(0-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows and grouped. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Pris-
matic crystals present. Phellem distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly in small clus-
ters. Paratracheal parenchyma scanty
to vasicentric. Apotracheal paren-
chyma in marginal bands. All ray cells
procumbent. More than 20 rays per
›T
mm.

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
Spartium junceum L.

distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-

lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

310
Stem xylem: 1 4 8 11 13 22 25 36 41 45 50.1 52.3 58 61 67 69 70.2 79 89 97 104 106 120
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B14 B18 B20 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Fabaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
in dendritic pattern. Vessel clusters
common. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Parenchyma-like fiber bands alter-
nating with ordinary fibers. Fibers thin-
to thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric.
Apotracheal parenchyma in marginal or
›T ›T
in seemingly marginal bands.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All ray cells procumbent or with
one row of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Axial parenchyma and vessel elements
storied.
Spartium junceum L.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

311
 Castanea sativa Mill.
Sweet Chestnut
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 30 m high with
an open crown and furrowed bark
in aging trees. Long-lived and slow-
growing species, with edible fruits. In
Cyprus it is a cultivated species, rarely
naturalized along streams (700-1300
m alt.). Native to Europe, north Africa
and western Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers in tangential rows, sclereids
mainly grouped. Crystal druses pre-
sent. Phellem homogeneous. Layered
phelloderm.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Fibers very thick-
walled.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Prismatic
crystals present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
Castanea sativa Mill.

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial ›T

rows.

›T

312
Stem xylem: 1 3 8 9 13 22 26 31 42 43 48 53.1 56 60 61 69 70 70.2 76 77 78 86 96 104 115 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B12 B14 B15 B19 B22 B31 B18
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by radi-
ally flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels in dendritic pattern,
predominantly solitary. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessel lu-
mina more than 200 μm, 20-40 vessels
per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls com-
mon. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Tension wood present. Apotracheal
parenchyma diffuse or in narrow bands
or lines up to three cells wide. Paratra-
›T ›T
cheal parenchyma scanty. Rays 4-12
per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Ear-
lywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent. Prismatic crystals in
axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate.
Castanea sativa Mill.

Wood basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T ›T

313
 Fagus orientalis L.
Oriental Beech
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree typically 25-35 m
high and up to 1,5 m in stem diam-
eter. Leaves alternate, egg-shaped. Its
natural range extends from southeast
Bulgaria’s mountains, through north-
west Turkey eastward to the Caucasus
and Iran. It is restricted to mountain
forests, at 500-2100 m altitude.

Photo: Ghalandarayeshi
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers grouped. Sclereids in
radial rows and in groups. Prismatic
crystals present. Phellem homogene-
ous, layered.

Xylem
Vessels predominantely solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 20-50 μm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances). Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits in transverse cell walls. Vas-
cular bundles at the periphery of the
Fagus orientalis L.

pith, clearly separated. Tracheary ele-

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

314
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 13 14 15 21 22 25 31 32 41 50.1 53.1 61 69 70 76 77 78 96 99 102 103 104 107 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B3 B7 B9 B14 B15 B16 B19 B20 B31 B16
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1 P12 P13

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by radially
flatted latewood fibers. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels in radial multiples
of 2 to 4 common. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse in aggregates and
scanty paratracheal. Rays per mm 4-12.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple and scalariform perforation
plates. Scalariform perforation plates
with less than 10 bars. Inter-vessel pits
opposite and alternate, small (4-7 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or elongated with large apertures.
Earlywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers). Uniseriate
ray with procumbent cells. In plurise-
riate rays body ray cells procumbent
with mostly 2-4 rows of square margin-
al cells. Prismatic crystals in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes. Rays unise-
riate present. Larger rays commonly
more than 10 seriate. Ray height more
than 1 mm.
Fagus orientalis L.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

›T ›T

315
 Quercus alnifolia Poech
Golden Oak
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or small tree up to
10 in height. Leaves leathery with a
gold-brown colour on the lower sur-
face. A very common endemic species
to Cyprus, occurring on rocky, cliff
and mountainsides along the Troodos
mountain range (300-1700 m alt.).
It is the national tree of Cyprus.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers grouped. Sclereids scattered or
irregularly dispersed, and in groups.
Groups of fibers and sclereids in a
tangential row. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Phellem homo-
geneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm. Aggregate rays
absent.
›T

Pith
Pith star-shaped. Cell dimorphic.
Prismatic crystals and crystal druses
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
Quercus alnifolia Poech

clearly separate. Tracheary elements

of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T ›T

316
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 8 9 13 21 25 31 39.1 40.2 45 47 52.3 60 61 70 70.2 70.3 77 78 86 96 99 101 103 104 109 116.2 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B14 B15 B18 B19 B20 B22 B31
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6 P6.2 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in
dendritic pattern, predominantly soli-
tary. Vessels cell wall thick (more than
2 μm). Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 5-20 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers very thick-
walled. Tension wood present. Radial
flat marginal fibers. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma diffuse in narrow lines up to
›T ›T
three cells wide. More than 20 rays per
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessels
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells procum-
bent. Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Prismatic crystals in ray parenchy-
ma and in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distance sizes: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate. Aggregate
rays present.
Quercus alnifolia Poech

Wood basic density: 0,74 g/cm³

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317
 Quercus cerris L.
Turkey oak
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree growing 25-40 m high.
Bark dark grey and deeply furrowed.
Leaves glossy, with triangular lobes
on each side. It is widely planted and
is naturalized in central and southern
of Europe. It is used as an ornamental,
and as a coastal windbreak (300-1000
m alt.).

Photo: Piermattei
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tubes in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Some rays become dilated. Sclerenchy-
ma cells in phloem and cortex. Fibers
in tangential rows, some fibers with
unlignified innermost layer. Sclereids
in small groups. Prismatic crystals
present.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 100-200 μm. Aggregate
rays absent.
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Pith
Pith star-shaped. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).
Quercus cerris L.

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318
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9 13 22 26 32 43 47 53.1 60 61 62 69 77 86 99 101 102 103 104 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B6 B7 B9 B10 B12 B15 B19 B20 B14.3
Pith: P1.1 P3 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
ring-porous. Vessels in diagonal and
radial pattern, predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina more than 200 μm, 5-20
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse in ag-
gregates. Apotracheal parenchyma in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. Rays per mm 4-12.
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Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with large
horizontal or vertical apertures. Ear-
lywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Some fibers with simple to
minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers), some other fibers with distinctly
bordered pits (fiber tracheids). All ray
cells procumbent. Prismatic crystals in
ray parenchyma cells.

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Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes. Larger rays
commonly more than 10 seriate, more
than 1 mm high. Aggregate rays pre-
sent.
Quercus cerris L.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

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319
 Quercus coccifera L. subsp. calliprinos (Webb) Holmboe
Kermes Oak, Holly Oak
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or small tree up to
10 m high, with dense crown. Leaves
spinose margined, and leathery. Cen-
tury-old individuals that attain large
dimensions are common. Indigenous
to Cyprus, found in maquis and pine
forests (100-1300 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
Quercus coccifera L. subsp. calliprinos (Webb) Holmboe

cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers

and sclereids in tangentially elongated
groups. Crystal druses present. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 20-50 μm. Rays width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Aggregate
rays absent.
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Pith
Pith shape triangular to star-shaped.
Heterogeneous pith. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Prismatic crystals present. Pits of
two distinct size in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

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320
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 22 25 32 39.1 41 50.1 53.1 56 60 62 70 70.2 78 79 86 96 98 101 103 104 109 116.2 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B14 B19 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.2 P3.3 P4 P4.1 P4.2 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
predominantly solitary. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, vessels number in
earlywood: 100-200 per mm2. Tyloses
with thin walls common. Fibers very
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal
and vasicentric. Apotracheal paren-
chyma in narrow bands or lines up to
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three cells wide.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessel-ray pits with large hori-

Quercus coccifera L. subsp. calliprinos (Webb) Holmboe

zontal or vertical apertures. Earlywood
vessel element length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). All ray
cells procumbent. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray. Prismatic crystals
in ray parenchyma cells and in axial
parenchyma cells.

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Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Aggregate rays
present.

Wood basic density: 0,73 g/cm³

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321
 Quercus ilex L.
Holm Oak, Holly Oak
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An evergreen tree 20–27 m high, with
finely square-fissured blackish bark.
The leaves are dark green above and
pale whitish-grey with dense short
hairs below; the old leaves fall 1–2
years after new leaves emerge. It
grows in pure stands or mixed forest
in relatively arid climates (0-600 m alt.)

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers in tangential rows and grouped.
Sclereids in tangential rows, scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Crystal druses
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Parenchyma-like
fibre bands alternating with ordinary
fibers. Rays exclusively uniseriate. Ag-
gregate rays absent.
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Pith
Pith star-shaped. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.
Quercus ilex L.

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322
Stem xylem: 1 5 8 9 13 21 25 31 39.1 41 47 53.1 60 62 70 70.3 77 78 86 96.1 98 101 104 116.1 136 136.1
Twig bark: B4 B7 B9 B12 B14 B15 B17 B18 B22 B28 B14.1
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in dendritic pattern, predominantly
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100
μm, 5-20 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thick-walled. Radial flat marginal fib-
ers. Paratracheal parenchyma diffuse
in aggregates and scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in narrow
bands or lines up to three cells wide.
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Rays 12-20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessels
length 200-500 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). All ray cells procumbent. Pris-
matic crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

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Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate, some
rays 4 to 10 seriate. Aggregate rays
present.
Quercus ilex L.

Wood basic density: 0,74 g/cm³

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323
 Quercus infectoria Oliv. subsp. veneris (A. Kern.) Meikle
Oak, Cyprus Oak
Fagaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Semi-deciduous large tree up to 20 m
high, often attaining large dimensions.
Leaf margins sinuate or sinuate-ser-
rate. Indigenous to Cyprus, occurring
in the mountains and in the lowlands
(0-1700 m alt.), on deep, moist and
rich soil. Indigenous to Turkey and
eastward to Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Scleren-
Quercus infectoria Oliv. subsp. veneris (A. Kern.) Meikle

chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.

Fibers in tangential rows, sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Pris-
matic crystals and crystal druses pre-
sent. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 20-50 μm. Rays width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Aggregate
rays absent.
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Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Laticifers canals. Pits grouped
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows.

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324
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 8 9 13 22 25 31 42 50.1 53.1 56 61 69 70.2 76 79 89 96 99 102 103 104 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B3 B4 B7 B12 B18 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4 P7 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12

Fagaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by radially
flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-po-
rous. Vessels in diagonal and/or radial
pattern, predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 100-200 μm, 100-200 ves-
sels per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls
common. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Tension wood present. Axial parenchy-
ma diffuse and vasicentric. Axial pa-
renchyma in marginal or in seemingly
marginal bands.
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Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular

Quercus infectoria Oliv. subsp. veneris (A. Kern.) Meikle

with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Ray cells procumbent
with few square cells. Prismatic crystals
in ray parenchyma cells.

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Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate, some
rays 4 to 10 seriate. Aggregate rays
present.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

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325
 Frankenia hirsuta L.
Sea Heath
Frankeniaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Procumbent subshrub, with linear
leaves and hairy shoots that are cov-
ered by the abundant pink flowers
during most of the year. Indigenous to
Cyprus, found along sandy shores (0-
200 m alt.). Widespread in the Mediter-
ranean basin.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Prismatic
crystals present. Crystal druses pre-
sent. Phellem homogeneous. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Heterogeneous pith. Un-
lignified cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Vascular bundles not distinct.
Frankenia hirsuta L.

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326
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 13 22 24 39.1 40.1 50.2 53.1 69 79.1 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B18 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P3 P3.4 P4 P10.2

Frankeniaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean vessels tangential
diameter less than 20 μm, more than
200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Parenchyma pervasive.

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Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm.

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
Frankenia hirsuta sub L.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

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327
 Hypericum confertum (Choisy) G.Don subsp. sten-
obotrys (Boiss.) Holmboe
Hypericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial herb up to 35 cm high.
Branches erect or ascending, glabrous.
Leaves wide, oblong-linear, with more
or less revolute margins. It grows on
rocky ground in pine forests (1200-
1950 m alt.). Indigenous also to south
and west Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.
Hypericum confertum (Choisy) G.Don subsp. stenobotrys (Boiss.) Holmboe

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. With secretory elements in
ducts. Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
As stem wood.

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Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round.

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328
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9.1 11 13 22 24 30 36 40.1 50.1 52.2 58 61 62 69 70 76 89 89.1 96.1 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B25 B26 B14.1
Pith: P1.1 P1

Hypericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood ring-porous
to semi-ring-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood

Hypericum confertum (Choisy) G.Don subsp. stenobotrys (Boiss.) Holmboe

vessels less than 20 μm, 100-200 ves-
sels per mm2. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to
very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse. Axial parenchyma in mar-
ginal or in seemingly marginal bands
composed of thin-walled cells, dark in
›T ›T
polarized light. More than 20 rays per
mm.
Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 50-100 μm. Fibers with
simple and distinctly bordered pits. All
ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 1 to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,44 g/cm³

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329
 Hypericum hircinum L.
Stinging St. Jonh’s Wort
Hypericaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, deciduous shrub up
to 2 m high, with glabrous and often
tetragonal shoots. Flowers golden–yel-
low. A rather rare native to Cyprus,
growing mostly on shady and moist
sites, often near streams (300-700 m
alt.). Indigenous also in other Mediter-
ranean countries and Arabia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Secretory elements in ducts
present. Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
All ray cells upright or squared.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances). Pits
Hypericum hircinum L.

in transverse and in longitudinal cell

walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

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330
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 9.1 11 13 22 26 30 40.2 50.1 53.1 58 61 62 65 69 76 96 105 106 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B25 B26 B31
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Hypericaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by zones with
fibers of variable cell wall thickness.
Wood ring-porous. Vessels solitary
and in short radial multiples, or small
clusters. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-
200 vessels per mm2. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse. Rays 12-20 per mm.

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Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
200-500 μm. Fibers with simple and
bordered pits, septate fibers present.
All ray cells upright and square. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
square marginal cells.

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Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Hypericum hircinum L.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

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331
 Juglans regia L.
Persian Walnut
Juglandaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 25 m high.
Leaves alternate, compound with ovate
leaflets. The fruit is a green, globose
nut with edible seed. A cultivated plant
in Cyprus, but often found wild on
moist sites (200-1400 m alt.). Native of
the Balkan Peninsula and central Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential rows. Fib-
ers and sclereids scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Crystal druses present.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 50-100 μm. Fibers thin-
to thick-walled. All ray cells procum-
bent. Rays width predominantly 1-3
cells. More than 20 ray per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
present. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Pith with
diagrams (radial section).
Juglans regia L.

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332
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 27 31 32 42 49 53.1 56 61 69 76 86 96 97 98 103 104 115 196 197
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B7 B12 B13 B18 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1.4 P2 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12 P14

Juglandaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
solitary or in radial multiples of 2 to
4 common, mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 100-200
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Tyloses
with thin walls common. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse.
Axial parenchyma in narrow bands or
lines up to three cells wide. Rays 4-12
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, large (more than 10 μm
in diameter). All forms of vessel-ray
pits: from rounded or angular with
large apertures to large horizontal or
vertical apertures. Earlywood vessel el-
ement length 200-500 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). All ray cells procumbent.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays generally 2 to 5 seriate, rarely
uniseriate or up to 10 seriate.
Juglans regia L.

Wood basic density: 0,49 g/cm³

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333
 Acanthoprasium integrifolium (Benth.) Ryding =
Ballota integrifolia Benth.
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, spiny shrub up to 150 cm
high. Leaves opposite with entire or
irregularly lobulate margins. Flowers
whitish with purplish stripes; fruit of 4
dry nutlets enclosed in the enlarged,
persisting calyx. Endemic to Cyprus,
found on rocky slopes, in shrubland
and field margins (0-700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers grouped in cortex. Sclereids in
tangential rows in phloem. Prismatic
crystals present.
Acanthoprasium integrifolium (Benth.) Ryding

Xylem
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 common. Axial pa-
renchyma scanty paratracheal only in
earlywood. Rays predominantly uniseri-
ate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct. Axial cells in regular rows
(radial section).

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334
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 11 13 22 27 31 36 40.2 50.2 52.3 60 61 69 75 78 96 97 102 103 105 116.1 116.2 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B14 B15 B17 B20 B14.1
Pith: P1 P4.1 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by radi-
ally flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels solitary or in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. More than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Rays 12-20 to more than 20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, large (more than 10 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple

Acanthoprasium integrifolium (Benth.) Ryding

to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All ray cells upright and square.
Prismatic crystals in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 2-3 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

335
 Calamintha incana (Sm.) Benth.
Calamint
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic, usually prostrate,
much branched, deciduous subshrub
with stem up to 60 cm long. Leaves op-
posite, suborbicular. Native to Cyprus,
found along roadsides and on fallow
land, sand dunes and rocky slopes
(0-1500 m alt.) Also indigenous to the
eastern Mediterranean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Crystal
sand present. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem consist of large,
irregularly shaped cells.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels lumina less than 20 μm.

›T
Calamintha incana (Sm.) Benth.

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in longitudinal and transverse cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate.

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336
Stem xylem: 2 5 7 9.1 11 13 22 24 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 61 69 75 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B23 B28
Pith: P1.1 P1.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in short
radial multiplesand in small clusters.
Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4
common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin-
to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma ab-
sent or extremely rare or not to recog-
nizable. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Calamintha incana (Sm.) Benth.

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,40 g/cm³

›T ›T

337
 Lavandula angustifolia Mill.
Common Lavender
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic shrub up to 100 cm high.
Young shoots hairy, leaves entire, lin-
ear; flower bract enlarged, usually dark
blue. Naturalized in Cyprus, found
scattered throughout some areas. It
grows on well-drained soils and sunny
places (0-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Acicular crys-
tals present. Cortex consist of large
thin-walled cells.

Xylem
Wood semi-ring-porous. All ray cells
upright or squared. More than 20 rays
per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Heterogeneous
Lavandula angustifolia Mill.

pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells

present. Cells dimorphic. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Pits grouped. Pits of two distinct size.
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct. Axial cells in regular rows
(radial section).

›T ›T

338
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 11 13 22 25 31 36 40.1 50.1 52.3 61 67 69 70.2 78 96 97 103 105 116.1 116.2 124
Twig bark: B1 B4 B18 B21
Pith: P1.1 P1.4 P3 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and radial pattern. Vessel clusters com-
mon. Mean tangential diameter of ear-
lywood vessels less than 20 μm, 100-
200 vessels per mm2. Parenchyma-like
fiber bands alternating with ordinary
fibers. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
Lavandula angustifolia Mill.
and up to 3 cells wide. Oil cells associ-
ated with ray parenchyma.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

339
 Lavandula stoechas L.
French Lavender
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic shrub up to 120 cm high.
Young shoots hairy; leaves opposite,
linear, hairy on both surfaces. Flower
bracts enlarged, violet-blue, corolla
violet-purple. Indigenous to Cyprus,
occurring on dry slopes, usually on pil-
low lavas (0-700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Cortex distinct in
polarized light. Cortex consist of large,
mostly unlignified, thin-walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
Lavandula stoechas L.

separated to not distinct. Tracheary el-

ements of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T

340
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 9 13 22 24 30 40.1 50.1 52.3 61 67 70 78 89 96.1 105 116.2
Twig bark: B8 B14.3
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by zones
with fibers of variable cell wall thick-
ness. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
in radial pattern. Vessels predominant-
ly solitary. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Parenchyma-
like fiber bands alternating with ordi-
nary fibers. Fibers very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal
and in marginal bands. More than 20
rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessels length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate.
Lavandula stoechas L.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

341
 Micromeria chionistrae Meikle
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Suberect or sprawling subshrub up
to 30 cm high. Leaves opposite, very
small, ovate; flowers rosy-white, sub-
sessile. Endemic to Cyprus, very com-
mon in crevices of ophiolite rocks on
the Troodos mountain range (400-
1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Phloem
uniform. Cortex consist of large thin-
walled cells. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Micromeria chionistrae Meikle

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Vas-
cular bundles not distinct. Tracheary
elements of metaxylem in distinct
radial rows. Axial cells in regular rows
(radial section).

›T

342
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.1 50.2 52.2 61 69 75 89 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B8 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels solitary and in radial
multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels less
than 20 μm. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable. Axial pa-
renchyma in marginal or in seemingly
marginal bands. Stem lobed. More than
20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Micromeria chionistrae Meikle

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,63 g/cm³

›T ›T

343
 Micromeria microphylla (d’Urv.) Benth.
=Micromeria cypria Kotschy
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Usually prostrate, much branched
subshrub up to 15 cm high. Flowers
pedicellate. Indigenous to Cyprus, oc-
curring on the Pentadactylos mountain
range (300-900 m alt.), and recently
found in the Akamas peninsula. A
Mediterranean species.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Cortex consist of lay-
ers of large and small thin-walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Micromeria microphylla (d’Urv.) Benth.

›T

Pith
Pith shape squared. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Pits grouped. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T

344
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 45 50.2 52.2 61 69 75 89 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B8
Pith: P1.4 P4 P9 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous to diffuse-porous. Vessels in
radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. More than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Axial parenchyma in marginal bands.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright and square.

Micromeria microphylla (d’Urv.) Benth.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

345
 Micromeria myrtifolia Boiss. et Hohen
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, much branched subshrub up to
50 cm high. Leaves opposite, small,
ovate; flowers rosy-whitish to purplish,
subsessile. Indigenous to Cyprus,
occurring in forests, thickets, and
phrygana (0-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem consist of large
thin-walled cells.

Xylem
Wood diffuse-porous.
Micromeria myrtifolia Boiss. et Hohen

›T

Pith
Pith shape square. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Pits grouped.
Pits of two distinct size. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T

346
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 11 13 22 24 30 40.1 50.2 52.3 58 61 69 75 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B8 B28
Pith: P1.4 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels solitary and in small
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels less than 20 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma absent or extremely rare
or not to recognizable. Stem lobed.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright and square.

Micromeria myrtifolia Boiss. et Hohen

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T ›T

347
 Micromeria nervosa (Desf.) Benth.
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched subshrub up to 50 cm
high. Young shoots sharply tetragonal;
leaves opposite, ovate; flowers rosy-
purple. Native to Cyprus, growing in
thickets and phrygana (0-600 m alt.).
Also indigenous to the Mediterranean
countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Phloem
uniform. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled cells. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly in short radial
multiples. Young shoots not lobed.
Micromeria nervosa (Desf.) Benth.

›T

Pith
Pith shape squared. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Pits in trans-
verse cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T

348
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 10 13 22 24 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 61 69 75 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B8 B28 B33
Pith: P1.4 P3 P3.3 P4 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels solitary or in radial
multiples of 4 or more common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable. More than
20 rays per mm. Stem lobed.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright.

Micromeria nervosa (Desf.) Benth.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,75 g/cm³

›T ›T

349
 Nepeta troodi Holmboe
Troodos Cat-Mint
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling subshrub up to 50
cm high. Leaves opposite, cordate-
deltoid, with crenate-serrate margins.
Endemic to Cyprus, locally common in
rocky mountainsides and in pine for-
ests (1000-1950 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in tan-
gential bands or scattered and ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary. Vessels
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma in mar-
ginal or seemgly marginal bands.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round to polygonal. Cells
dimorphic. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Pits of two
Nepeta troodi Holmboe

distinct size. Vascular bundles clearly

separate to not distinct. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

350
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9.1 11 13 22 24 30 36 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 61 69 75 98 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B17 B18 B20
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, more than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Stem lobed. More than 20 rays per
mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 100-200 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). All ray cells upright and
square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger ray commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Nepeta troodi Holmboe

Wood basic density: 0,39 g/cm³

›T ›T

351
 Origanum cordifolium (Benth.) Vogel
Cordate-Leaved Origanum
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic shrub or subshrub 30-70
cm high. Leaves opposite, broadly
ovate-cordate. Flowers white born on
a sub-corymbose inflorescense. Indig-
enous to Cyprus, growing on rocky
places and in maquis, garigue and pine
forests (200-1000 m alt.). Also indig-
enous to Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Crys-
tal druses present. Phloem uniform.
Cortex consist of large and small thin-
walled cells.

Xylem
Vessel clusters common. Axial paren-
chyma absent or extremely rare or not
to recognisable.
Origanum cordifolium (Benth.) Vogel

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits of two distinct size. Vascu-
lar bundles not distinct. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

352
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 61 67 69 78 89 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B22 B8
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.2 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and radial pattern. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Pa-
renchyma-like fiber bands alternating
with ordinary fibers. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma in marginal or in seemingly
marginal bands. More than 20 rays per
›T ›T
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright.

Origanum cordifolium (Benth.) Vogel

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

353
 Origanum dubium Boiss.
Origan
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Aromatic shrub or subshrub 30-70 cm
high. Leaves opposite, broadly ovate or
elliptical, hairy. Flowers white born on
a sub-corymbose inflorescence. Indig-
enous to Cyprus, growing on rocky
places and in maquis, garigue and pine
forests (200-1000 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Acicular crystals present. Phloem uni-
form. Cortex consist of thin-walled
cells. Cell content in parenchyma cells.

Xylem
Vessel clusters common. Axial paren-
chyma absent or extremely rare or not
to recognisable.

›T

Pith
Pith shape square. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
Origanum dubium Boiss.

cell walls, grouped, of two distinct

size. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T

354
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 61 69 70.3 75 89 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B21 B8 B28
Pith: P1.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels solitary and in radial
multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm. More than 200 vessels per mm2.
Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Radial flat
marginal fibers. Axial parenchyma ab-
sent or extremely rare or not to recog-
nizable. Axial parenchyma in marginal
or in seemingly marginal bands. More
than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Origanum dubium Boiss.

Wood basic density: 0,59 g/cm³

›T ›T

355
 Origanum majorana L. var. tenuifolium Westo
Sweet Marjoram
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, aromatic shrub up to
100 cm high. Leaves opposite, broadly
obovate or suborbicular, hairy. Flow-
ers white, born on enlongated inflores-
censes. It grows in shrubland, open pine
forests and rocky places (0-900 m alt.).
The variety is endemic to Cyprus, but
widely planted elsewhere.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Phloem
uniform. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Cortex consist of two distinct lay-
ers of very large and small thin-walled
cells. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.
Origanum majorana L. var. tenuifolium Westo

Xylem
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognisable.

›T

Pith
Pith shape square. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Pits grouped. Pits of two
distinct size. Vascular bundles not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

356
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 45 50.2 52.2 58 61 69 78 97 99.2 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B8 B28 B33
Pith: P1.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels solitary and
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. More than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Stem lobed. Rays
12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).

Origanum majorana L. var. tenuifolium Westo

All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

357
 Phlomis brevibracteata Turrill
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Lax shrub up to 1,5 m high. Old stems
with fissured bark. Leaves opposite,
oblong, white-tomentose below. Flow-
ers showy, yellow, bracteoles very small
less than half the calyx length. Endemic
to Cyprus, growing in maquis and
garigue, mainly on limestone forma-
tions (300-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scle-
reids in tangential rows and scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Crystal sand
present.

Xylem
In the first ring mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels lumina less
than 20 μm. Rays exclusively uniseri-
ate.

›T
Phlomis brevibracteata Turrill

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits
of two distinct size. Vascular bundles
clearly separate from one other or not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax- ›T
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T

358
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 9 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 61 69 70 78 96 97 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B17 B18 B23
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness, and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels in diagonal and/or
radial pattern. Vessels predominantly
solitary and in short radial multiples.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. More than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Phlomis brevibracteata Turrill

Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

359
 Phlomis cypria Post subsp. cypria
Cyprus Jerusalem-Sage
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, shrub up to 1,5 m
high, with fissured bark on older
stems. Leaves opposite, ovate-oblong;
flowers yellow. Endemic to Cyprus. It
occurs in shrubland and on limestone
slopes in the Pentadactylos range
(150-750 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Fibers scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Cortex consist of two distinct
layers of large and small thin-walled
cells. Phellem distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Rays exclusively uniseriate. In the first
growth ring mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels lumina less than
20 μm.
Phlomis cypria Post subsp. cypria

›T

Pith
Pith shape square. Acicular crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

360
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9.1 11 13 22 25 36 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 61 69 70.3 78 79 96 97 105 116.1
Twig bark: B13 B33
Pith: P1.4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by zones with
fibers of variable cell wall thickness.
Wood ring-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and/or radial pattern. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal to vasicen-
tric. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells upright
and square.

Phlomis cypria Post subsp. cypria

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,70 g/cm³

›T ›T

361
 Phlomis cypria Post. subsp. occidentalis
(Meikle) Hand
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched shrub up to 1,5 m
high. Flowers as in subsp. cypria;
leaves narrowly oblong, tapering to a
sub-acute apex. Endemic to Cyprus,
occurring in shrubland and openings
of pine forest in Pafos area and the
Akamas peninsula (150-750 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Sclereids in short tan-
gential rows and scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled cells.

Xylem
Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels in
Phlomis cypria Post. var. occidentalis Meikle

short radial multiples. More than 20

rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits grouped
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

362
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 61 69 70.3 78 89 96 97 105 107 109 116.1
Twig bark: B17 B18 B8
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by zones with
fibers of variable cell wall thickness.
Wood ring-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and radial pattern or in clusters. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled,
radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal, apotracheal
parenchyma in marginal or in seeming-
›T ›T
ly marginal bands. Rays 12-20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform

Phlomis cypria Post. var. occidentalis Meikle

fibers). Body ray cells procumbent with
mostly 2-4 rows of upright and square
marginal cells. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

363
 Phlomis lunariifolia Sm.
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Robust, much branched shrub up to 2
m high. Young shoots stout, tetrago-
nal; flowers yellowish, showy, with
long bracteoles ending into 5 long,
spreading awns. Indigenous to Cy-
prus, found in shrublands, garigue and
along roads (0-500 m alt.). Also found
in southern Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Crystal sand present. Cortex consist of
large and small thin-walled cells. Cell
content in parenchyma cells.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples. Rays
exclusively uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits
Phlomis lunariifolia Sm.

grouped. Pits of two distinct size. Vas-

cular bundles clearly separate to not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

364
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 11 13 22 25 31 36 40.2 45 50.2 61 69 70 70.3 78 96 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B18 B23 B28
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by zones
with fibers of variable cell wall thick-
ness. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
in diagonal and radial pattern. Vessel
clusters common. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, more than 200 vessels per mm2.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. More than
20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Helical thicken-
ings in vessel elements present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Phlomis lunariifolia Sm.

Wood basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T ›T

365
 Prasium majus L.
Prasium
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or scrambling shrub, with stems
up to 4 m long. Leaves opposite, with
an ovate-cordate lamina; flowers whit-
ish, sometimes tinged purple-mauve.
Common indigenous species in Cy-
prus, occurring in maquis, garigue,
forests and occasionally in rocky crev-
ices (0-700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Fibers in tangential rows and scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Prismatic crys-
tals, druses and crystal sand present.
Cortex consist of large and small thin-
walled cells.

Xylem
Vessels solitary or in clusters. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal and
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands. Rays exclusively uniseriate.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
With prismatic and Acicular crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Pits of two distinct
size in transverse cell walls. Vascular
bundles not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
Prasium maju L.

section).

›T ›T

366
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 39.1 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 61 65 69 75 78 96.1 97 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B12 B13 B20 B22 B23
Pith: P1 P4 P4.1 P6 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels solitary or in radial multiples
of 2 to 4. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, more
than 200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
extremely rare, scanty paratracheal in
earlywood. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Septate
fibers present. All ray cells upright and
square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate, few rays
2-3 seriate.
Prasium majus L.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T ›T

367
 Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Rosemary
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic evergreen shrub up
to 2 m high, with bluish winter flower-
ing. Reported as indigenous to Cyprus,
but more probably a garden escape, as
it is widely cultivated in gardens and
parks (0-800 m alt.). Indigenous to the
countries of the northern Mediterra-
nean as far as Lebanon.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scle-
renchyma cells in phloem and in cor-
tex. Fibers scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Cortex consist of layers of
large and small thin-walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Vascular bundles clearly separate.

Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

368
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 8 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 60 61 69 76 78 89 97 102 103 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B13 B30 B29
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
in diagonal and radial pattern. Ves-
sels in radial multiples of 2 to 4 and in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Apotracheal parenchyma
diffuse, and in marginal or in seeming-
ly marginal bands. Paratracheal paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. More than
›T ›T
20 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessels length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.
Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Wood basic density: 0,59 g/cm³

›T ›T

369
 Salvia dominica L.
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic shrub or subshrub
up to 100 cm high. Young shoots
hairy, leaves simple, ovate-oblong;
flowers with a milky-white colour. Rare,
indigenous species to Cyprus, occur-
ring on rocky places (20-150 m alt.).
Also occurs in Syria, Palestine and
Egypt.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in short
tangential rows, scattered or irregular-
ly dispersed. Acicular crystals present.
Cortex consist of large and small thin-
walled cells.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
exclusively uniseriate. Rays per mm
12-10.

›T

Pith
Pith shape square. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits
of two distinct size. Vascular bundles
clearly separate to not distinct. Tra-
cheary elements of metaxylem in dis-
tinct radial rows. Axial cells in regular
Salvia dominica L.

rows (radial section).

›T ›T

370
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 11 13 22 24 30 36 40.2 45 50.2 53.1 61 67 69 78 96 97 99.2 102 103 105 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B17 B18 B21
Pith: P1.4 P4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial multi-
ples of 2 to 4 common. Vessel clusters
common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, more
than 200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Parenchyma-like
fiber bands alternating with ordinary
fibers. Axial parenchyma scanty para-
tracheal. Stem lobed. Rays 4-12 per
mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 200-500 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). All ray cells upright and
square. Prismatic crystals in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide. Larger rays
height more than 1 mm.
Salvia dominica L.

Wood basic density: 0,38 g/cm³

›T ›T

371
 Salvia fruticosa Mill.
Three-Leaved Sage
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic shrub up to 120
cm high. Leaves opposite, ovate–el-
liptic, sometimes three-lobed; flowers
colour bluish or white-rosy. Common
indigenous species in Cyprus, growing
on rocky places, shrublands and pine
forests. (0-1500 m alt.). Also occurs in
the eastern Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Distinct ray dilatation. Sclereids in tan-
gential bands. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Phellem consist
of layers of thin- and thick-walled cells.

Xylem
In the first growth ring mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels
lumina less than 20 μm. Axial paren-
chyma absent or extremely rare. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal sand present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits of
two distinct size. Vascular bundles
clearly separate to not distinct. Axial
Salvia fruticosa Mill.

cells in regular rows (radial section). ›T

›T

372
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 9 11 13 20.1 22 26 30 41 45 50 52.2 56 60 61 69 78 89 96 97 99.2 105 116.1
Twig bark: B4 B6 B12 B15 B20 B29
Pith: P1 P4.1 P6.4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by zones with
fibers of variable cell wall thickness.
Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels in
diagonal and radial pattern. Latewood
vessels solitary, earlywood vessels in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 50-100 μm. More
than 100 vessels per mm2. Tyloses
with thin walls common. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal and in marginal or in
›T ›T
seemingly marginal bands. Stem lobed.
Rays 12-20 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pittings pseudoscalariform to reticu-
late or alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 50-100 μm. Vascular and vasi-
centric tracheids present. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). All ray cells upright and
square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate. Ray width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Salvia fruticosa Mill.

Wood basic density: 0,51 g/cm³

›T ›T

373
 Salvia lanigera Poir.
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strong-smelling subshrub up to 40
cm high. Young shoots densely hairy,
glandular; leaves deeply pinnatisect;
flowers dark violet. Indigenous to
Cyprus, growing in shrublands, sandy
places and sand dunes (0-200 m alt.).
Also occurs in north Africa, Palestine
and eastward to Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Acicular crystals
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Cortex consist of thin-walled
cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
star shaped. Heterogeneous pith. Un-
lignified cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Vascular bundles do not
Salvia lanigera Poir.

distinct. Tracheary elements in distinct

radial rows.

›T ›T

374
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9.1 13 20.1 22 25 40.2 50.2 52.1 60 61 65 69 75 96 100.1 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B21 B28
Pith: P0.1 P1.1 03.4 P4 P5 P10.2 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma absent or extremely rare
or not to recognizable. More than 20
rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pittings pseudoscalariform to reticu-
late. Inter-vessel pits alternate, small
(4-7 μm in diameter). Earlywood ves-
sel element length less than 50 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Septate
fibers present. All ray cells uprigh.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate. Rays con-
fluent with ground tissue.
Salvia lanigera Poir.

Wood basic density: 0,33 g/cm³

›T ›T

375
 Salvia willeana (Holmboe) Hedge
Troodos Sage
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic subshrub up to 60
cm high. Leaves opposite, ovate–el-
liptic, flowers whitish to purple-rosy.
Endemic to Cyprus, occurring on rocky
places and in pine forests and shrub-
lands. Confined to the ophiolite forma-
tions on the Troodos mountain range
(1000-1950 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Crystal
sand present. Cell content in parenchy-
ma cells. Cortex consist of thin-walled
cells.

Xylem
In the first growth ring mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels
lumina less than 20 μm. Vessels pre-
dominantly in short radial multiples.
Ray exclusively uniseriate.
Salvia willeana (Holmboe) Hedge

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate to not distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

376
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 13 22 24 30 32 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 56 58 61 69 75 78 96 97 99.2 103 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B23 B28
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood ring-porous to semi-
ring-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, ves-
sels of two distinct diameter classes.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Ty-
loses with thin walls common. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma absent or extremely rare.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
›T
Stem lobed. More than 20 rays per
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to interves-
sel pits in size and shape throughout
the ray cell. Some vessel-ray pits with
large horizontal or vertical apertures.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

Salvia willeana (Holmboe) Hedge

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to cells wide. Rays of
two distinct sizes.

Wood basic density: 0,44 g/cm³

›T ›T

377
 Satureja thymbra L.
Satureia
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect, much-branched aromatic shrub
up to 50 cm high. Leaves opposite,
obovate or elliptic. Flowers purple-
rosy, fruits of 4 dry nutlets. A rare
indigenous species of Cyprus, growing
on limestone and igneous rocks (200-
300 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Acicular crystals pre-
sent. Layered phellem.

Xylem
Vessels mainly in short radial mul-
tiples. In the first growth ring few
vessels present and fibers very thick-
walled.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. HEterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
Satureja thymbra L.

dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.

›T

378
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 49 52.2 61 69 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B21 B8
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood ring-porous and
semi-ring-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 40-100 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 50-
100 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Satureja thymbra L.

Wood basic density: 0,70 g/cm³

›T ›T

379
 Scutellaria sibthorpii (Benth.) Halácsy
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling subshrub up to 50
cm high. Stems purplish almost gla-
brous. Leaves opposite, with a cordate
base, also subglabrous. Endemic to
Cyprus, found on rocky calcareous
hillsides, sometimes in costal garigue
(0-60 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Crystal sand pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Scutellaria sibthorpii (Benth.) Halácsy

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped and in two distinct
size. Vascular bundles clearly separate
to not distinct.

›T ›T

380
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.1 50.2 52.3 61 69 75 96.1 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B13 B23 B31
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.1 P10.2

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse porous. Vessels solitary
or in radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm. More than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
More than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright.

Scutellaria sibthorpii (Benth.) Halácsy

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

381
 Sideritis cypria Post
Cyprus Ironwort
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 60 cm high. Leaves
opposite, densely tomentose. Flow-
ers’ corolla bright yellow. Endemic to
Cyprus, growing in crevices of south-
facing limestone cliffs on Pentadacty-
los mountain range (300-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Crystal sand pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Unlignified cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Pits of two
distinct size. Axial cells in regular rows
Sideritis cypria Post

(radial section).

›T ›T

382
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 61 69 75 96 97 103 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B23 B31
Pith: P1 P2 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable. More than
20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide.
Sideritis cypria Post

Wood basic density: 0,37 g/cm³

›T ›T

383
 Teucrium creticum L.
Cretan Germander
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 2 m high; leaves linear;
shoots covered with short hairs; flow-
ers mauve or pink in a narrow, elon-
gate, terminal raceme. Common spe-
cies in Cyprus, occurring in maquis
and garigue and on rocky places (0-
900 m alt.). Also occurs in the east
Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Crystal sand present. Phloem uniform.
Cell content in parenchyma cells. Cor-
tex consist of large and small, thin-
walled cells.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples. Rays
exclusively uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
Teucrium creticum L.

rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial

section).

›T ›T

384
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 7 9.1 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 61 69 70 75 78 96.1 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B23 B8 B28
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood ring-porous to semi-
ring-porous. Vessels in diagonal and/
or radial pattern. Vessels in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thick- to very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Teucrium creticum L.

Wood basic density: 0,63 g/cm³

›T ›T

385
 Teucrium cyprium Boiss.
Cyprus Germander
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic subshrub up to 10
cm high, forming low, domed mats.
Shoots clothed with spreading hairs.
Leaves opposite, crowded, greyish-
green. Flowers pink or purplish. En-
demic on Cyprus, restricted to rocky
mountainsides and pine forests of the
Troodos range (300-1900 m alt.)

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Crystal
sand present. Phloem uniform. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Layered
phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

Pith
No slide available.
Teucrium cyprium Boiss.

›T

386
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 13 22 24 30 36 40.1 45 50.2 52.3 62 64 69 75 78 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B23 B8 B28 B29
Pith: No slide available.

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous to
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels less than 20 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Ves-
sels of two distinct diameter classes.
Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial pa-
renchyma absent or extremely rare or
not to recognizable. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. More than 20 rays
per mm. Stem lobed.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Helical thickenings in ground
tissue fibers. All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Teucrium cyprium Boiss.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

387
 Teucrium divaricatum Kotschy subsp. canescens (*elak.) Holmboe
Grey Germander
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub up to 50 cm high, with a
dense white indumentum on young
stems and lower leaf-surface; flowers
pink, purple or reddish. A common
endemic to Cyprus, growing in maquis,
garigue and rocky places (0-1600 m
alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Teucrium divaricatum Kotschy subsp. canescens (*elak.) Holmboe

Bark
Sclereids scattered or irregularly dis-
persed in cortex. Crystal sand present.
Cell content in parenchyma cells.
Cortex consist of large and small thin-
walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

388
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.2 50.2 52.2 61 69 75 78 89 96.1 97 103 105 116.1
Twig bark: B18 B23 B28
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood ring-porous to semi-
ring-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary or in radial multiples of 2 to
4 common. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Axial paren-
chyma absent or not to recognizable.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in marginal
or in seemingly marginal bands. Rays
12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section

Teucrium divaricatum Kotschy subsp. canescens (*elak.) Holmboe

Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 50-
100 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate to
3-4 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

389
 Teucrium kotschyanum Poech.
Kotschy’s Germander
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Robust, perennial subshrub up to 80
cm high. Shoots with recurved hairs;
flowers in terminal racemes, greenish-
yellowish. It grows on rocky, igneous
mountainsides, in maquis, garigue and
pine forests (500-1500 m alt.). Indig-
enous to Cyprus; it occurs also in the
Aegean islands and Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Fibers scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Phloem uniform. Cell content
in parenchyma cells. Cortex consist of
thin- and thick-walled cells. Cell con-
tent in cortex cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Teucrium kotschyanum Poech.

Pith
Pith shape square to roundish. Cells di-
morphic. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
›T

›T

390
Stem xylem: 1 4 11 13 22 24 30 36 40.2 50.2 52.3 56 58 61 69 70 75 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B13 B8 B11
Pith: P1.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessel clusters common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. More than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls
common. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma ex-
tremely rare, scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 100-200 μm. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section Teucrium kotschyanum Poech.

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

391
 Teucrium kyreniae (P.H. Davis) Hadjik. et Hand.
Keryneia Germander
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic subshrub up to 20
cm high, with suberect stems. Shoots
clothes with spreading hairs. Leaves
light green often tinged yellowish.
Flowers milky-white tinged or streaked
yellowish. Endemic species in Cyprus,
restricted to rocky and cliffy places of
the Pentadactylos mountain
range (0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Crystal
sand present. Phloem uniform. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Layered
phellem.
Teucrium kyreniae (P.H. Davis) Hadjik. et Hand.

Xylem
As stem wood.

Pith
No slide available.

›T

392
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 9 13 22 24 30 36 40.2 50.2 52.3 58 62 64 69 70 89 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B23 B8 B28 B29
Pith: No slide available.

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels in diagonal and/or
radial pattern. Vessels predominantly
solitary. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma in marginal or seemingly
marginal bands. Stem lobed. More than
›T ›T
20 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel

Teucrium kyreniae (P.H. Davis) Hadjik. et Hand.

element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Helical thickenings in ground
tissue fibers. All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,45 g/cm³

›T ›T

393
 Teucrium micropodioides Rouy
Germander
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Strongly aromatic subshrub up to 30
cm high, usually forming low, domed
bushes. Shoots clothed with adpressed
hairs (rarely spreading); corolla maroon
to purplish-brownish. Common, en-
demic species in Cyprus, found on rocky
places, in maquis, garigue and open
pine forest (0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Acicular
crystals and crystal sand present. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Layered
phellem.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary or in
radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Axial parenchyma recognizable only
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
bands.

›T
Teucrium micropodioides Rouy

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances).
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls, grouped in longitudinal cell ›T
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T

394
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.1 50.1 53.1 58 61 69 70 70.3 76 78 89 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B4 B21 B23 B28 B29
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4.1 P5 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.2 P12

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness, and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary
and in short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to
very thick-walled. Radial flat marginal
fibers. Axial parenchyma diffuse and
scanty paratracheal, in marginal or in
seemingly marginal bands. More than
›T ›T
20 rays per mm. Stem lobed.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 350-
800 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section Teucrium micropodioides Rouy

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T S›T

395
 Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav.
=Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. et Link
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, aromatic subshrub,
forming low-domed mats, up to 50 cm
high. Young shoots whitish, flowers
rosy-purple. It is very common on rocky
slopes, disturbed ground and occasion-
ally sand dunes (0-900 m alt.). Indige-
nous to Cyprus, occurring also naturally
throughout the Mediterranean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Prismatic
and acicular crystals present. Phloem
uniform. Layered phellem.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4
common. Vessels of two distinct diam-
eter classes. Axial parenchyma absent
or extremely rare or not to recogniz-
able. Parenchyma marginal thin-walled,
dark in polarized light. More than 20
rays per mm. Stem not lobed.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Heterogeneous
Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav.

pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells

present. Cells dimorphic. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T

396
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 11 13 22 25 31 41 50.2 52.3 56 58 61 69 70 78 79 89 96 99.2 105 116.1 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B20 B21 B29
Pith: P1.1 P3.3 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in radial pattern, predominantly in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Tylos-
es with thin walls common. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal to
vasicentric, and in marginal or in seem-
ingly marginal bands. Stem lobed. Rays
12-20 to more than 20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T

397
 Thymus intiger Griseb.
Cyprus Thyme
Lamiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, aromatic subshrub,
with erect or more commonly prostate
branches, sometimes rooting, up to 10
cm high. Shoots reddish, flowers rosy-
whitish. Endemic to Cyprus, growing
on rocky slopes and in shrublands and
pine forests (100-1700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Prismatic and acicular
crystals present. Layered phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

Pith
No slide available.
Thymus intiger Griseb.

›T

398
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 13 22 26 40.2 50.2 52.3 56 58 61 69 75 96 99.2 105 116.2
Twig bark: B20 B21 B8 B29
Pith: No slide available.

Lamiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous to
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary or in
radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Tyloses with thin walls common.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels and fibers. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Stem lobed. More than 20 rays per
mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All ray cells upright.

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Thymus intiger Griseb.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

399
 Laurus nobilis L.
Lauren, Sweet Bay, Bay Tree
Lauraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, deciduous shrub or small
tree up to 10 (12) m high. Leaves
leathery, aromatic; fruit a black, shiny
drupe. An indigenous species, occur-
ring on moist, rocky grounds, usually
near stream and springs (0-1300 m
alt.). Indigenous to the Mediterranean
region and Crimea.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Distinct
rays dilatation only for some rays.
Groups of fibers linked by tangential
rows of sclereids. With laticifers. Epi-
dermis distinct in polarised light.

Xylem
Vessels in two distinct classes. Axial
parenchyma extremely rare or not to
recognisable. Intervessel pits pseudo-
scalariform to reticulate. Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray, predomi-
nantly uniseriate.
›T

Pith
Pith round in shape. Cells dimorphic.
Elongated crystals present. Pits in
transverse and longitudinal cell walls.

›T
Laurus nobilis L.

›T

400
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 14 15 22 25 31 41 48 53.1 61 65 69 70.2 78 97 106 115 124 136.1 151
Twig bark: B1 B6 B14 B17 B25 B27 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P4.2 P6 P9 P9.1

Lauraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary or in short radial multiples.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 50-100 μm, 20-40
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Tension wood present. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. Rays
4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple and scalariform perforation
plates with less that 10 bars. Inter-
vessel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessels ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 200-500
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Septate
fibers present. Body ray cells procum-
bent with one row of square marginal
cells. Prismatic and elongated crystals
in ray cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Oil cells associated with ray parenchy-
ma.
Laurus nobilis L.

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

401
 Punica granatum L.
Pomegranate
Lythraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched, deciduous, spinose
shrub or small tree up to 7 m high.
Flowers rich red, fruit an edible glo-
bose syncarp. Widely cultivated and
naturalized to Cyprus, occurring on
field margins and roadsides (0-1200 m
alt.). Native to Iran, Afghanistan, and
south east Turkey.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Some rays become dilated. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed.
Crystal druses present. Cell content
in parenchyma cells. Phloem uniform.
Phellem homogeneous. Phellem dis-
tinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape square. Unlignified cells present.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Prismatic crystals present.
Crystal druses present. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct. Tracheary elements
Punica granatum L.

of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

402
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 49 52.3 61 65 69 70.2 78 96 105 116.1 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B6 B18 B22 B8 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1.4 P3.4 P5 P6 P6.2 P10.2 P12

Lythraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels solitary and in radial multiples of
2 to 4 common. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
Septate fibers present. All ray cells
upright and square. Prismatic crystals
in ray and in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Punica granatum L.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

403
 Malva unguiculata (Desf.) Alef.
=Lavatera bryoniifolia Mill.
Malvaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect subshrub, up to 3 m high, with
white-tomentose young shoots. Leaves
alternate, with 5 dentate lobes. Flowers
large showy, pink; fruit a dry schizo-
carp. Native to Cyprus, growing on dry
slopes with garigue vegetation and
near streams (100-800 m alt.). Indig-
enous also to Greece and Palestine.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Only some rays become dilated. Fibers
grouped. Crystal druses present. Cor-
tex homogeneous. Epidermis distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Solitary vessels common.

›T
Malva unguiculata (Desf.) Alef.

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu- ›T
lar rows (radial section).

›T

404
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 11 13 21 27 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 61 69 79 83 96 98 102 103 105 115
Twig bark: B1 B3 B6 B9 B14 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Malvaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels in radial multiples of 2 to 4 or in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
vasicentric and confluent. Rays 4-12
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, large (more than 10 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
less than 100-200 μm. Fibers with sim-
ple to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Malva unguiculata (Desf.) Alef.

Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,48 g/cm³

›T ›T

405
 Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L. Wendl.
Wattle
Mimosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or tree, about 3-5 m
high. Leaves alternate, at first 2-pin-
nate, then linear, thick. Flowers small,
rich yellow, numerous, arranged in
globular heads. Native to Australia, on
Cyprus it can be found in most of the
cities in the lowlands, especially along
roads (0-700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
grouped. Sclereids in tangential rows.
Prismatic crystals present. Cell content
in parenchyma cells. Phellem homoge-
neous. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 20-50 μm. Very thick-
walled fibers. Rays 12-20 per mm.
Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L. Wendl.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudi-
nal cell walls. Pits grouped. Vascular
bundles in the pith. Vascular bundles
clearly separate.

›T ›T

406
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 39.1 41 45 50.1 52.3 58 61 69 70.2 70.3 79 83 96.1 97 104 115 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B14 B17 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10 P10.1

Mimosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels solitary and in radial multiples of
2 to 4. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Radial flat marginal
fibers. Axial parenchyma vasicentric to
confluent. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent. Prismatic crystals in
axial parenchyma cells.

Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L. Wendl.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

407
 Prosopis farcta (Banks et Sol.) Macbride
Mesquit
Mimosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, spiny shrub, 30-100 cm
high. Branches with silvery-grey to
brownish bark. Leaves compound, with
numerous, small oblong leaflets. Indig-
enous to Cyprus, a very common weed
in cereal fields in Mesaoria central
plain rarer elsewhere (0-180 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Distinct rays dilatation. Fibers in radial
rows and grouped. Sclereids in tangen-
tial bands. Cortex consist of large and
small thin-walled parenchyma cells.
Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 20-50 μm. Rays predom-
Prosopis farcta (Banks et Sol.) Macbride

inantly uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Heterogeneous pith. Fibers present.
Crystal sand present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits
grouped. Vascular bundles clearly sep-
arate. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section). Pith
chambered (radial section).

›T ›T

408
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9.1 11 13 21 25 30 41 45 50.2 60 67 69 70.2 79 83 86 96 98 104 115
Twig bark: B3 B5 B11 B14 B15 B17 B31
Pith: P3 P3.2 P6.4 P9 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13 P14

Mimosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous to
diffuse-porous. Vessels in short radial
multiples and in groups. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, more than 200
vessels per mm2. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Parenchyma-like
fiber bands alternating with ordinary
fibers. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
vasicentric to confluent. Apotracheal
›T ›T
parenchyma in narrow lines. Rays 4-12
per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform. Inter-vessel pits op-
posite, small (4-7 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Vascu-
lar and/or vasicentric tracheids pre-
sent. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent.

Prosopis farcta (Banks et Sol.) Macbride

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1-3 cells.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

409
 Ficus carica L.
Common Fig Tree
Moraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub or tree 4-6 m high,
with silvery-grey, smooth bark. Branch-
es releasing a rich, sticky white latex
when cut. Indigenous to Cyprus, cul-
tivated for its edible fruits, at 0-1500
m altitudes. Wild plants common on
moist, cold cave or rocky sites and
close to streams.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Only some rays become dilated.
Prismatic crystals present. With lactif-
erous, secretory elements, oil ducts or
mucilage ducts. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous
and distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels solitary or in clusters. Larger
ray width 1 to 3 cells. Prismatic crys-
tals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Pith
Pith round in shape. Pith not visible in
polarized light. Cells dimorphic. Pris-
matic crystals present. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section). Pith cham-
bered (radial section).
Ficus carica L.

›T ›T

410
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 26 31 39.1 41 42 49 52.3 61 69 70.2 79 85 96 98 100 102 103 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B2 B6 B20 B25 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P4.1 P6 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13 P14

Moraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary and in
radial multiples of 2 to 4. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, in some rings 100-
200 μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Fib-
ers thin- to thick-walled. Tension wood
present. Axial parenchyma vasicentric.
Axial parenchyma bands more than
three cells wide. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray. Prismatic
crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm. Rays with multiseri-
ate portions as wide as uniseriate por-
tions.
Ficus carica L.

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

411
 Ficus sycomorus L.
Sycamore Fig
Moraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Mostly evergreen tree (sometimes
leafless for a short time), 8-20 m high.
Leaves alternate, deeply lobed, diverse
in shape. Fruits are born on the stem
and older branches. Native to Ethiopia
and north east Africa, cultivated in Cy-
prus since a long time (0-200 m alt.),
but rather uncommon today.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Radial groups of sieve tube and col-
lapsed sieve tubes. Some rays become
dilated. Sclereids scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. With lactiferous, oil ducts or
mucilage ducts. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous.
Phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 50-100 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Rays mainly uniseri-
ate, 12-20 per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Unlignified cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Prismatic crystals present. Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Pits in trans-
Ficus sycomorus L.

verse cell walls. Pits of two distinct

size. Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

412
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 32 42 46 53.1 61 69 70.2 76 79 83 85 98 103 106 107 115 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B3 B4 B6 B18 B20 B25 B26 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P3.4 P4.1 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.1 P12

Moraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary or in
radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 100-200 μm. Less than
5 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Apotracheal parenchyma diffuse. Axial
parenchyma vasicentric often confluent
or in bands more than three cells wide.
Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perfora
tion plates. Inter-vessel pits alternate,
minute (less than 4 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell, with
large horizontal or vertical apertures.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with one to 4
rows of upright and square marginal
cells. Prismatic crystals present in axial
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes, larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Ficus sycomorus L.

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

413
 Morus alba L.
White Mulberry
Moraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 15 m high.
Leaves alternate, entire or with 3-7
lobes. Fruit a white, reddish or black-
ish juicy syncarp. Native to China, com-
monly found as wild in many areas of
Cyprus. Very commonly cultivated in
the island (0-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers in small
groups, some fibers with un unligni-
fied innermost layer. Sclereids in tan-
gential rows and in groups. Prismatic
crystals and Crystal sand present. With
laticifers, secretory elements, oil ducts
or mucilage ducts. Phellem homogene-
ous. Phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 50-100 μm. Rays mainly
uniseriate, 12-20 per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Unlignified cells
present. Prismatic crystals present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).
Morus alba L.

›T ›T

414
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 11 13 22 25 31 36 41 50.1 52.3 56 61 67 69 70.2 78 79 83 96 98 105 108 115 136 136.1 141.1 197
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B10 B12 B17 B19 B20 B23 B25 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Moraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by zones with
fibers of variable cell wall thickness.
Wood ring-porous. Vessels solitary and
in clusters. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Tyloses with
thin walls common. Parenchyma-like
fiber bands alternating with ordinary
fibers. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric,
sometimes confluent. Rays 4-12 per
›T ›T
mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Helical thicken-
ings in vessel elements present. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers). Uniseriate
ray cells upright and square. Multiseri-
ate rays with body cells procumbent
with over 4 rows of upright or square
marginal cells. Prismatic crystals in ray
and in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and 4 to 10 seriate.
Morus alba L.

Wood basic density: 0,53 g/cm³

›T ›T

415
 Morus nigra L.
White Mulberry
Moraceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 15 m high.
Leaves alternate, entire or with 3-7
lobes. Fruit a large black-purple, juicy
syncarp. Native of Iran, planted in Cy-
prus but rather rarely (100-600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers and scle-
reids in tangential rows and in groups,
some fibers with unlignified inner-
most layer. Prismatic crystals present.
Secretory elements in ducts present.
Phellem layered, heterogeneous, and
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm. Ray width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Body ray
cells procumbent with over 4 rows of
›T
upright and square marginal cells.

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles at the periphery of
the pith, clearly separated. Tracheary
elements of metaxylem in distinct ra-
dial rows.
Morus nigra L.

›T ›T

416
Stem xylem: 1 3 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 42 50.1 52.2 56 61 67 69 70.2 79 83 85 98 106 115 136 136.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B9 B10 B12 B14 B15 B17 B19 B20 B25 B26 B32 B33 B29
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P6 P9 P9.1 P10 P10.1 P12

Moraceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 100-200 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels in
radial multiples of 2 to 4, and in clus-
ters. Tyloses with thin walls common.
Parenchyma-like fiber bands alternat-
ing with ordinary fibers. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric,
sometimes confluent. Apotracheal
parenchyma in bands more than three
›T ›T
cells wide. Rays 4-12 per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessels length 50-100
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with one row
of upright and square marginal cells.
Prismatic crystals in ray and in axial
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Morus nigra L.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

417
 Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet
Bottlebrush
Myrtaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 10 m high, with
pendulous branches. Leaves alternate,
lanceolate, aromatic when crushed.
Flowers with very long reddish-purple
stamens. Exotic to Cyprus, found
mainly in parks and gardens (0-300 m
alt.). Native of Australia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids
in tangential rows and scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Wood diffuse-porous. Fibers thick- to
very thick-walled. All ray cells upright
and square. More than 20 rays per
mm.
Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Heterogenous
pith. Sclereids present. Cell content
present (dark staining substances).
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles not distinct. Axial
cells in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

418
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 21 25 31 40.2 50.2 53.1 61 67 69 76 96 97 100 109 115
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B17 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3 P3.1 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P13

Myrtaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels
per mm2. Parenchyma-like fiber bands
alternating with ordinary fibers. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide. Ray
with multiseriate portions as wide as
uniseriate portions.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

419
 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.
Eucalypt, Murray Red Gum
Myrtaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 30 m high. Bark
whitish-greyish. Leaves opposite or al-
ternate, lanceolate, leathery, aromatic
when crushed. Flowers whitish. Exotic
to Cyprus, native to Australia, cultivat-
ed almost elsewhere in Cyprus (0-650
m alt.).

Photo: Börner
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Groups
of sieve tube in tangential rows. Col-
lapsed sieve tubes present. Some rays
become dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in
phloem and in cortex. Fibers in tan- ›T

gential rows. Sclereids scattered or

irregularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. With secretory elements in
ducts in phellem. Cell content in pa-
renchyma cells.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 50-100 μm. Rays unise-
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.

›T
riate. More than 20 rays per mm.

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogenous pith. Fibers
present. Unlignified cells present. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). With prismatic crystals and
crystal druses. Intercellular canals
with border cells. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles in the pith. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Vascular bundles not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

420
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 31 41 47 52.3 56 58 62 69 70 76 78 96 97 104 116.1 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B6 B7 B12 B18 B20 B25 B26 B28
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3 P3.2 P3.4 P5 P6 P6.2 P8 P9 P10 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Myrtaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 5-20 ves-
sels per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls
common. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Rays 12-20
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). All ray cells procum-
bent. Prismatic crystals in axial paren-
chyma cells.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,70 g/cm³

›T ›T

421
 Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC.
Eucalypt, Tuart
Myrtaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 45 m high. Bark
grey, fibrous. Leaves opposite or alter-
nate, leathery, aromatic when crushed.
Flowers white-yellowish. Native to west
Australia. On Cyprus, and in many oth-
er Mediterranean countries as well, it is
found in plantations (0-500 m alt.).

Photo: Börner
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential bands.
Sclereids scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Prismatic crystals present. Cor-
tex homogeneous. Epidermis distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm.

›T
Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC.

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogenous pith. Fibers
present. Unlignified cells present. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals present.
Intercellular canals with border cells
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
in the pith. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.

›T ›T

422
Stem xylem: 2 5 7 9 9.1 13 22 25 31 41 45 49 53.1 58 62 67 69 70 76 78 96.1 106 116.2 136 141.1
Twig bark: B7 B12 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3 P3.2 P3.4 P5 P6 P8 P9 P10 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Myrtaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal
pattern, solitary or in radial multiples
of 2 to 4. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Parenchyma-like fiber bands
alternating with ordinary fibers. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled. Axial paren-
chyma diffuse and scanty paratracheal.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of upright and square mar-
ginal cells. Prismatic crystals in axial
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC.

Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

423
 Eucalyptus torquata Luehm.
Eucalypt
Myrtaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 11 m high, with
reddish shoots. Leaves opposite or
alternate, leathery, aromatic when
crushed. Flowers very attractive to
bees. Native of Australia, found in
plantations as ornament and a valuable
bee-plant (0-300 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Fibers scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Prismatic crystals present. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina less than 20 μm.

›T

Pith
Eucalyptus torquata Luehm.

Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith

shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Heterogenous pith. Fibers pre-
sent. Unlignified cells present. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals present. ›T
Intercellular canals with border cells.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles in the pith,
not clearly distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T

424
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 22 25 31 39.1 41 45 50.1 53.1 58 62 70 76 78 96 106 116.2
Twig bark: B13 B20 B28 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P3 P3.2 P3.4 P5 P6 P8 P9 P10 P10.2 P12

Myrtaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly soli-
tary. Vessels cell wall thick (more than
2 μm). Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels 50-100 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse and scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section Eucalyptus torquata Luehm.

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,83 g/cm³

›T ›T

425
 Melaleuca almillaris (Sol. ex Gartn.) Sm.
Myrtaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or tree up to 14 m
high. Leaves alternate, narrowly linear;
flowers with conspicuous white-yellow
stamens; fruit dry, persisting. Native
to Australia, found in parks (0-200 m
alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
in tangential rows. Prismatic crystals
present. Cell content in parenchyma
cells. Phellem homogeneous. Layered
phelloderm.

Xylem
Tension wood present. Rays with
Melaleuca almillaris (Sol. ex Gartn.) Sm.

procumbent, square and upright cells

mixed throughout the rays. Grater
than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
present. Fibers present. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Cell content present (dark stain-
ing substances). Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

426
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 60 62 69 70 76 78 84 96 106 107 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B12 B20 B28 B31 B35
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3.2 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Myrtaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
to scanty paratracheal and unilateral
paratracheal. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood
vessel element length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with one to 4 rows of
square marginal cells.

Melaleuca almillaris (Sol. ex Gartn.) Sm.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,71 g/cm³

›T ›T

427
 Myrtus communis L.
Common Myrtle
Myrtaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, aromatic shrub, up to 3
m high. Leaves opposite, leathery;
flowers white; fruits fleshy, black or
white. Indigenous to Cyprus, occur-
ring throughout the island, along river
banks, near water springs and moist
places (0-1500 m alt.). It also occurs in
the other Mediterranean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Sclereids scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Crystal druses
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Sclereids present. Acicular crystals
and crystal druses present. Pits in
transverse and in longitudinal cell
Myrtus communis L.

walls. Vascular bundles not distinct. ›T

Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T

428
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 60 62 69 70 76 78 84 96 97 106 107 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B12 B20 B28 B31 B35
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3.2 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Myrtaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries demarcated
by radially flatted and thick-walled
latewood fibers. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes, 100-200 earlywood
vessels per mm². Fibers thin- to very-
thick walled. Radial flat marginal fib-
ers. Axial parenchyma diffuse and
scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal pa-
renchyma in narrow bands or lines up
to three cells wide. More than 20 rays
per millimetre.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).
Uniseriate ray cells upright and square.
Multiseriate ray cells procumbent with
mostly 2-4 rows of upright and square
marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and 1 to 3 cells wide.
Myrtus communis L.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

429
 Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.
Narrow-leafed Ash
Oleaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree growing 20-30 m high
with a trunk up to 1,5 m diameter.
The bark is smooth and pale grey on
young trees, becoming square-cracked
on old trees. The leaves are pinnate,
15-25 cm long. It have been planted
in Cyprus (0-1000 m alt.) and in other
Mediterranean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
and sclereids in groups. Crystal sand
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm. Rays pre-
dominantly uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.

Cell content present (dark staining

substances). Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

430
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 13 22 25 30 42 47 53.1 56 61 69 79 89 97 104 115
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B9 B14 B15 B19 B23 B31 B14.3
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Oleaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by radi-
ally flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 100-200 μm, 5-20 ves-
sels per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls
common. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric,
apotracheal parenchyma in marginal or
in seemingly marginal bands. Rays per
mm 4-12.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessels length 200-500 μm.
Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers). Ray cells
procumbent and few squared.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.

Wood basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T ›T

431
 Fraxinus ornus L.
Manna Ash, South European Flowering Ash
Oleaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree 15-25 m high with a
trunk up to 60 cm in diameter. The
bark is dark grey, remaining smooth
even on old trees. Leaves in opposite
pairs, pinnate, with 5-9 broad ovoid
leaflets. It is a species native to south-
ern Europe and southwestern Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers and sclereids grouped. Acicular
crystals present. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled parenchyma
cells. Phellem distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm, 50-100 ves-
sels per mm2.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles clearly separate to not dis-
tinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).
Fraxinus ornus L.

›T ›T

432
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 11 13 22 25 30 39.1 41 50.1 53.1 61 70 79 89 97 104 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B14 B15 B19 B21 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Oleaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood, and by zones
with fibers of variable cell wall thick-
ness. Wood ring-porous. Vessels soli-
tary and in clusters. Vessels cell wall
thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma vasicentric. Apotracheal
parenchyma in marginal or in seeming-
ly marginal bands. Rays per mm 12-20.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessels length 200-500
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Fraxinus ornus L.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

433
 Olea europaea L.
Olive tree
Oleaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree 2-10 m high. Leaves
alternate, leathery, silver-green; flow-
ers inconspicuous; fruits green at first,
shining bluish-black at maturity. Native
to Cyprus occurring in many areas (0-
1000 m alt.), cultivated in all the parts
of the island up to 700 m alt. Wide-
spread in the Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows. Crystal sand present.
Epidermis homogeneous, distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
confluent with ground tissue.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Pits grouped, of two distinct size, both
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
Olea europaea L.

lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

434
Stem xylem: 2 5 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 56 58 61 67 69 70 79 96 97 103 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B12 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.2 P12 P13

Oleaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring indistinct or absent. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4 common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels per
mm2. Tyloses with thin walls common.
Gums and other deposits in heartwood
vessels and ray parenchyma cells.
Parenchyma-like fibers bands alternat-
ing with ordinary fibers. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
vasicentric. Rays per mm 12-20.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
Rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate to
3 cells wide.
Olea europaea L.

Wood basic density: 0,75 g/cm³

›T ›T

435
 Phillyrea latifolia L.
Mock Privet
Oleaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or small tree up to
4 m high. Leaves opposite, leathery;
flowers inconspicuous; fruit a black
globose drupe. A rare native to Cyprus
(400-800 m alt.). Widespread in the
Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fib-
ers in groups. Sclereids in tangential
rows. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Phellem
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
In the first ring mean tangential di-
ameter of earlywood vessel lumina
less than 20 μm. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles not dis-
tinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
Phillyrea latifolia L.

in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

436
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 8 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 60 61 69 78 79 83 89 96 97 100 106 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B14 B15 B17 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Oleaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal
and in dendritic pattern. Vessels pre-
dominantly in clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal, to vasicentric and
sometimes confluent. Marginal or in
seemingly marginal bands of axial pa-
renchyma. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate or 1 to 3 cells wide.
Rays with multiseriate portions as wide
as uniseriate portions.
Phillyrea latifolia L.

Wood basic density: 0,72 g/cm³

›T ›T

437
 Syringa vulgaris L.
Common Lilac
Oleaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub 4-7 m high. Leaves
large; flowers showy in long panicles,
purplish-bluish; fruit a capsule. Native
to the Balkan peninsula and eastern
Europe. In Cyprus it is grown in gar-
dens, mainly in mountainous areas
(100-1700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential bands. Sclereids scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Prismatic crys-
tals present. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Cells dimorphic. Pits in trans-
verse and longitudinal cell walls. Vas-
cular bundles do not distinct.
Syringa vulgaris L.

›T

›T

438
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 69 70 70.3 75 78 96 97 106 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.2

Oleaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by radially
flatted latewood fibers. Wood semi-
ring-porous. Vessels solitary and radial
multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fib-
ers thick- to very thick-walled. Radial
flat marginal fibers. Axial parenchyma
absent or extremely rare or not to
recognizable. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Body ray cells procumbent
with one row of upright and square
marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.
Syringa vulgaris L.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T

439
 Odontites linkii Heldr. et Sart. ex Boiss. subsp.
cyprius (Boiss.) Bolliger = Odontites cypria Boiss.
Orobanchaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Subshrub 15-60 cm high, with
branched stems which are often violet
or purple. Flowers zygomorphic, yel-
low; fruit a capsule. An endemic sub-
species to Cyprus, occurring in garigue
and pine forests, commoner in higher
altitudes (0-1600 m alt.).
Odontites linkii Heldr. et Sart. ex Boiss. subsp. cyprius (Boiss.) Bolliger

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Phloem
uniform. Cortex consist of irregular
shaped cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals present.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T ›T

440
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 26 30 40.1 45 49 52.3 58 61 69 70.2 75 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B8
Pith: P1 P4.1 P5 P6 P13

Orobanchaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by zones
with fibers of variable cell wall thick-
ness. Wood semi-ring-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to
4 elements. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-

Odontites linkii Heldr. et Sart. ex Boiss. subsp. cyprius (Boiss.) Bolliger

sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse, extremely rare.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright.

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,50 g/cm³

›T

441
 Phytolacca pruinosa Fenzi
Red-Ink Plant
Phytolaccaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect subshrub up to 1,5 m high.
Leaves alternate, ovate-elliptic. Flowers
greenish, fruit a shining blackish berry.
Indigenous to Cyprus, occurring on
rocky slopes and open forests in the
Troodos range (800-1750 m alt.). An
eastern Mediterranean species.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Fibers in tangen-
tial rows. Acicular crystals present.
Crystal sand present. Cortex consist
of large thin-walled cells. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light.
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Phytolacca pruinosa Fenz

Unlignified cells present. Pits in trans-

verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles in the pith. Tracheary
elements of metaxylem in distinct ra-
dial rows.

›T ›T

442
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 60 61 69 78 96 97 105 116.1 136
Twig bark: B1 B6 B12 B21 B23 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10 P12

Phytolaccaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
and in radial multiples of 2 to 4 com-
mon. Mean tangential diameter of
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
200-500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicen-
tric tracheids present. Fibers with sim-
ple to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All ray cells upright. Prismatic
crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Phytolacca pruinosa Fenz

Wood basic density: 0,23 g/cm³

›T ›T

443
 Platanus orientalis L.
Oriental Plane
Platanaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree more than 30 m high
with silvery-grey bark. Leaves alter-
nate, leathery, palmately and deeply
lobed. Native to Cyprus, growing along
streams and other moist places (0-
1700 m alt.). It is also indigenous to
southern Europe and western Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Distinct rays
dilatation. Fibers in tangential rows.
Prismatic crystals present. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Axial paren-
chyma scanty paratracheal. Larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate.

›T

Pith
Pith round. Cells dimorphic. Prismatic
crystals and crystal druses present.
Pits grouped in transverse cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
Platanus orientalis L.

tion).

›T ›T

444
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 11 13 14 17 21 26 31 41 50.2 53.1 62 69 70 70.3 76 78 99 102 106 114 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B5 B9 B12 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6 P6.2 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P13

Platanaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in ter-
minal latewood. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4 or
in clusters. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
more than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled, radial flat
marginal fibers. Axial parenchyma dif-
fuse and scanty paratracheal. Less than
4 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple and scalariform perforation
plates, scalariform perforation plates
with 20-40 bars. Inter-vessel pits op-
posite, medium (7-10 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 200-500 μm, fib-
ers with distinctly bordered pits (fiber
tracheids). Body ray cells procumbent
with one row of square marginal cells.
Prismatic crystals in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly more than 10
seriate. Ray height more than 1 mm.
Platanus orientalis L.

Wood basic density: 0,67 g/cm³

›T ›T

445
 Plumbago auriculata Lam.
Leadwort
Plumbaginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, sub erected or scrambling
shrub; shoots up to 2 m long. Leaves
alternate, elliptic. Flowers sky-blue,
fruit a small capsule. Native to South
Africa, frequently grown in gardens
and parks in Cyprus (0-500 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Fibers in large
groups. Sclereids in tangential bands.
Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled cells. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
Plumbago auriculata Lam.

walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-

rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

446
Stem xylem: 2.1 4 10 13 22 24 30 36 39.1 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 60 61 69 70 78 97 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B14 B17 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Plumbaginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial
multiples of 4 or more common. Ves-
sels cell wall thick (more than 2 μm).
Mean tangential diameter of vessels
20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Vascular
and/or vasicentric tracheids present.
Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Plumbago auriculata Lam.

Wood basic density: 0,48 g/cm³

›T ›T

447
 Plumbago europaea L.
European Leadwort
Plumbaginaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Perennial subshrub up to 1 m high,
with purplish-blue flowers. Native to
Cyprus, not very common, found along
field boundaries, roadsides (0-1000 m
alt.). It is also indigenous in southern
Europe and other Mediterranean coun-
tries as far as Afghanistan.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers in tangen-
tial bands in the cortex.

Xylem
Vessels solitary and in short radial
multiples.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
Plumbago europaea L.

verse and in longitudinal cell walls.

Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T ›T

448
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 13 20 25 36 39.1 40.1 45 50.1 52.3 58 60 61 69 78 117
Twig bark: B1 B4 B12
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Plumbaginaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Vessels cell wall thick
(more than 2 μm). Mean tangential
diameter of vessels less than 20 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Helical thickenings in ves-
sel elements present. Vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers).

›T

Tangential section
Wood rayless.
PPlumbago europaea L.

Wood basic density: 0,25 g/cm³

›T

449
 Polygonum equisetiforme Sm.
Horsetail Knotweed
Polygonaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Sprawling or decumbent subshrub with
50-100 cm long shoots, with small
whitish flowers. Leaves alternate, linear
lanceolate. An indigenous to Cyprus,
common along field margins, coastal
areas and on stony slopes (0-1000 m
alt.). A Mediterranean species extend-
ing eastward to Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tubes and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows and grouped. Crystal
druses present. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled cells.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary.

›T
Polygonum equisetiforme Sm.

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Cell dimor-
phic. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Axial cells in regular
rows (radial section).

›T ›T

450
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 9.1 11 13 21 25 30 40.2 45 49 52.3 60 61 69 78 79 96.1 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B12 B14 B22
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Polygonaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-po-
rous. Vessels in radial pattern. Vessels
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 elements,
and in clusters. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays
per mm 12-20.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessels length 100-200 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Polygonum equisetiforme Sm.

Rays predominantly uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

451
 Clematis cirrhosa L.
Virgin’s Bower
Ranunculaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen climber, with stems up to
5 m long. Leaves opposite, simple or
trifoliate. Flowers showy, whitish-yel-
lowish, pendulous. A common, native
species to Cyprus, which occurs in
forests, maquis, and garigue (0-900 m
alt.). Also native to the Mediterranean
countries and eastward to Syria.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers grouped.
Sclereids in tangential rows and scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Layered
phellem.

Xylem
Wood ring-porous. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal.

›T

Pith
Pith star shaped. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate. Axial cells in regular rows
Clematis cirrhosa L.

(radial section).

›T ›T

452
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 24 31 41 45 49 52.3 60 61 69 76 78 79 86 98 105 114
Twig bark: B1 B4 B14 B17 B18 B29
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Ranunculaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse and scanty paratracheal to
vasicentric. Apotracheal parenchyma in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. Less than 4 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric trac-
heids present. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Clematis cirrhosa L.

Wood basic density: 0,38 g/cm³

›T ›T

453
 Clematis vitalba L.
Traveller’s Joy
Ranunculaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen climber with 8-10 m long
brownish stems. Leaves opposite, pin-
nate with 5 ovate leaflets. A natural-
ized species in Cyprus, restricted to ra-
vines and hedges especially on higher
altitudes (0-1600 m alt.). Indigenous to
central and south Europe eastward to
Afghanistan.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sieve tube in tangential rows. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids
in tangential bands. Lignified cells in
phellem. Phellem distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels lumina 50-100 μm.

›T

Pith
Pith star shaped to round. Cells dimor-
phic. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate.
Clematis vitalba L.

›T

454
Stem xylem: 1 1.1 3 9 11 13 21 22 24 32 39.1 42 48 52.3 60 62 69 78 99 100.2 102 109 114
Twig bark: B2 B6 B7 B4.1 B17 B33 B34
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Ranunculaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by radially
flatted latewood fibers. Growth ring
boundaries clearly visible only along
some radii. Wood ring-porous. Vessels
solitary and in clusters. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 100-200 μm, 20-40 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. Less
than 4 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-ray
pits with large horizontal or vertical
apertures. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays commonly more than 10 seriate.
Rays disappear in polarized light. Ray
height more than 1 mm.
Clematis vitalba L.

Wood basic density: 0,42 g/cm³

›T ›T

455
 Rhamnus alaternus L.
Mediterranean Buckthorn, Alaternus
Rhamnaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub or small tree up to
4 m high. Leaves alternate, ovate or
elliptical, leathery. Flowers yellowish,
fruit a shining, black, obovoid drupe.
Indigenous to Cyprus, occurring in
maquis and pine forests (0-1100 m
alt.). It also occurs in other Mediterra-
nean countries.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in
groups. Acicular crystals present. Phel-
lem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm. Ray pre-
dominantly uniseriate, with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray. More than 20 rays
per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith polygonal. Cells dimorphic. Acicu-
lar crystals present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles clearly separate to not dis-
Rhamnus alaternus L.

tinct. Tracheary elements of metax-

ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

456
Stem xylem: 1 5 8 10 13 22 25 31 40.2 45 50.2 53.1 60 69 70 70.2 79 83 89 97 107 116.1 150
Twig bark: B1 B4 B15 B19 B21 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rhamnaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in dendritic pattern, predominantly in
radial multiples. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 20-40 μm,
more than 200 vessels per mm2. Ves-
sels in two distinct diameter classes.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
vasicentric sometimes confluent.
Apotracheal parenchyma in marginal
or in seemingly marginal bands. Rays
12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 200-500 μm. Vascular
and/or vasicentric tracheids present.
Body ray cells procumbent with mostly
2-4 rows of upright square marginal
cells. Acicular crystals present.

›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rhamnus alaternus L.

Wood basic density: 0,70 g/cm³

›T

457
 Rhamnus lycioides L. subsp. graeca (Boiss. et Reut.) Tutin
= Rhamnus oleoides subsp. graecus (Boiss. et Reut.) Holmboe
Rhamnaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Semi-evergreen shrub up to 3 m high,
armed with rigid thorns. Leaves alter-
nate or clustered, oblong. Flowers yel-
lowish; fruit a red-purplish, spherical
drupe. A common indigenous plant to
Cyprus, growing on dry, rocky moun-
tainsides shrub-lands and pine forests
(0-1000 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Rhamnus lycioides subsp. graeca (Boiss. et Reut.) Tutin

Groups of sieve tube and collapsed

sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclereids in groups. Prismatic
crystals present. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Rays with procumbent, square and up-
right cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits only in transverse
cell walls, grouped. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows. ›T

›T

458
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 8 9 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 56 61 67 69 70 70.2 78 79 83 96 97 100 106 116.2 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B19 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12

Rhamnaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels in diagonal and in dendritic pat-
tern. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Vessels of two distinct dia-
metr classes Tyloses with thin walls
common. Parenchyma-like fiber band
alternating with ordinary fibers. Fib-
ers thick- to very thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric,
›T ›T
confluent in latewood.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-

Rhamnus lycioides subsp. graeca (Boiss. et Reut.) Tutin

ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Parenchyma-like fibre bands
alternating with ordinary fibers. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
upright and square marginal cells. Pris-
matic crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide. Rays
with multiseriate portions as wide as
uniseriate portions.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

›T ›T

459
 Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam.
Lotus Tree, Wild Jujube, Lotus Jujube
Rhamnaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, thorny shrub up to 2 m
high with zig-zag shaped branches.
Leaves alternate, distichous, oblong,
with three distinct longitudinal nerves.
A very common indigenous species to
Cyprus, which occurs in fields, waste-
lands and roadsides (0-500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers in tangential
bands and grouped. Sclereids scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed and in
groups. Prismatic crystals present. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples and in
clusters. All ray cells procumbent and
›T
squared.

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals present.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam.

Tracheary elements of metaxylem in

distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu- ›T
lar rows (radial section).

›T

460
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 39.1 41 48 52.3 61 69 70 78 79 96 109 116.1 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B12 B14 B18 B19 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P5 P6 P10.1 P12 P13

Rhamnaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary and
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Vessels cell wall thick (more than 2
μm). Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 20-40
vessels per mm2. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays 12-20
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
Rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.
Prismatic crystals in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

461
 Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd.
Christ’s Thorn
Rhamnaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, thorny tree up to 14 m in
height, with zig-zag shaped branches.
Leaves alternate, distichous, oblong,
with three distinct longitudinal nerves.
Flowers yellowish, small, fruit a red
to brown globose drupe. Rare, natu-
ralized species in Cyprus, planted in
lowlands (0-200 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclereids in tan-
gential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Cortex and phellem homogene-
ous. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Vessels solitary or in small clusters.
Ray exclusively uniseriate.

›T
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd.

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Unlignified parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Cell content present
(dark staining substances). Prismatic
crystals present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun- ›T
dles not distinct. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T

462
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 61 69 70 76 78 96 97 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B17 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Rhamnaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness, and by a lack of vessels in
terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous to diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 2 to
4 common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 100-
200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of two
distinct diameter classes. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse and scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd.

Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

463
 Ziziphus ziziphus (L.) H. Meikle
Jujube
Rhamnaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub or small tree up to
7 m high, with zig-zag twigs. Leaves
alternate, more or less distichous,
oblong, asymmetric, with three distinct
longitudinal nerves. Flowers incon-
spicuous, yellowish green, fruit a red-
brown edible drupe. Naturalized in Cy-
prus, occurring in hedges and gardens
(0-500 m alt.). Possibly indigenous to
central and east Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers in tangential rows. Prismatic
crystals and crystal druses present.
Cell content in parenchyma cells. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Ziziphus ziziphus (L.) H. Meikle

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Cells dimorphic. Latic-
ifers or intercellular canals present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele- ›T
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T

464
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 41 49 52.3 61 69 70.2 78 79 96.1 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B12 B20 B22 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P4 P7 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rhamnaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary or in radial multiples of 2 to 4.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100
vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-
walled. Tension wood present. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal to
vasicentric. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Ziziphus ziziphus (L.) H. Meikle

Rays predominanlty uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,44 g/cm³

›T

465
 Cotoneaster nummularius Fisch. et C.A. Mey.
Cotoneaster
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub up
to 2 m high. Leaves alternate, ovate;
flowers white and fruit a red, globose
pome. An indigenous plant, restricted
to the highest part of Troodos (1000-
1950 m alt.). It also occurs in Greece,
Turkey, Caucasia, Syria, Lebanon
northern Iraq and western Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Scle-
reids in tangential rows or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals present.
Phellem homogeneous. Phellem dis-
tinct in polarized light.
Cotoneaster nummularius Fisch. et C.A. Mey.

Xylem
Wood ring-porous to semi-ring-porous.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
exclusively uniseriate, with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
›T
throughout the ray. More than 20 rays
per mm.
Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Prismatic crystals present.
Pits in transverse cell walls present,
pits in longitudinal cell walls not ob-
served. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

466
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 21 22 25 30 31 36 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 62 69 70 76 78 86 96 97 105 109 116.1
Twig bark: B4 B6 B7 B17 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. More than 200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Apotracheal
parenchyma in narrow bands or lines
up to three cells wide. Rays 12-20 per
mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell and rounded or angular with
large apertures. Helical thickenings in
vessel elements present. Earlywood
vessel element length 100-200 μm.

Cotoneaster nummularius Fisch. et C.A. Mey.

Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). All ray cells upright an
square. Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

467
 Crataegus azarolus L.
Mediterranean Hawthorn, Azarole
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous small tree or shrub up to
10 m high. Branches armed with short,
strong spines. Leaves alternate, obo-
vate, lobed; fruit a yellow pome, with
1-3 seeds. An indigenous species,
widespread and common on the island
(0-1500 m alt.). Also found in the Medi-
terranean basin and eastward to Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers and screeds in tangen-
tial rows. Prismatic crystals present.
Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
predominantly uniseriate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells pre-
sent. Prismatic crystals present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
Crataegus azarolus L.

walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-

rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial ›T
section).

›T

468
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 22 25 31 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 62 69 76 78 86 96 97 106 116.2 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B2 B4 B7 B9 B12 B15 B17 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in ter-
minal latewood. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Axial parenchyma in nar-
row bands or lines up to three cells
wide. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with one row of square
marginal cells. Prismatic crystals in
axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Crataegus azarolus L.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

469
 Crataegus monogyna Jacq.
Hawthorn, Single-Seed Hawthorn
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, spreading shrub up to 7 m
high. Leaves alternate, lobed. Branches
armed with spines, fruit a red pome
with one or rarely two seeds. An indig-
enous species widely distributed on
Cyprus (0-1800 m alt.). It occurs also
in Europe and western Asia.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers grouped.
Sclereids in tangential rows. Prismatic
crystals present. Cortex consist of
large and small thin-walled parenchy-
ma cells.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
predominantly uniseriate. More than
20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
Crataegus monogyna Jacq.

in transverse and in longitudinal cell

walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

470
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 11 13 22 25 30 41 49 50.1 53.1 62 69 70 76 78 97 106 116.1 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B9 B14 B15 B17 B20 B31
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in ter-
minal latewood. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary or in
clusters. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thick-
to very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse to scanty paratracheal. Rays
12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with one row of upright
and square marginal cells. Prismatic
crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Crataegus monogyna Jacq.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

›T ›T

471
 Crataegus x sinaica Boiss.
Sinai Hawthorn
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree or shrub 5-7 m high.
A natural hybrid between C. azarolus
and C. monogyna with intermediate
leaves features and red fruits. It occur-
rence and identification on Cyprus is
unclear. It is native to Sinai, Syria and
Turkey.

Photo: Ori Fragman-Sapir

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
predominantly uniseriate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Crataegus x sinaica Boiss.

Cells dimorphic. Crystal druses pre-

sent. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T ›T

472
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 13 22 25 30 40.2 50.1 53.1 62 69 70 76 78 86 96 97 106 116.2 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4.1 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse to scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with one row of upright
and square marginal cells. Prismatic
crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Crataegus x sinaica Boiss.

Wood basic density: 0,73 g/cm³

›T ›T

473
 Cydonia oblonga Mill.
Quince
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous small tree or shrub up to
6 m high. Leaves alternate, oblong-
ovate, white tomentose below. Fruit
sub-globose or pyriform, yellowish
at maturity. Indigenous in Caucasia,
Turkey and Iran. Cultivated in Cyprus
for its fruits and sometimes found as a
relic of cultivation (200-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light. Layered phellem.

Xylem
Rays predominantly uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances).
Cydonia oblonga Mill.

Pits in transverse and in longitudinal

cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly ›T
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T

474
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 61 69 70.3 76 86 96 97 104 106 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B20 B31 B33 B29
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial pa-
renchyma diffuse. Axial parenchyma in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All ray cells procumbent. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
upright and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to biseriate.
Cydonia oblonga Mill.

Wood basic density: 0,58 g/cm³

›T ›T

475
 Prunus armeniaca L.
Apricot Tree
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 8 m high. Leaves
alternate, ovate. Flowers white or pink;
fruit sub-spherical, yellow, edible. Na-
tive of central Asia, a naturalized spe-
cies in Cyprus, widely cultivated for its
edible fruits (0-900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fib-
ers and sclereids scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous. Phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
uniseriate and up to 3 seriate. All ray
cells upright and square.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
With prismatic, acicular crystals and
crystal druses. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
Prunus armeniaca L.

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial

rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

476
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 36 41 50.1 52.3 56 61 62 69 70 76 78 96 98 103 109 116.2
Twig bark: B4 B6 B7 B18 B20 B22 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6 P6.1 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels solitary and in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls com-
mon. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. More than 20 rays per
mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers) and with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 10 cells wide.
Prunus armeniaca L.

Wood basic density: 0,66 g/cm³

›T ›T

477
 Prunus avium L.
Cherry Tree, Sweet Cherry
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 20 m high, with
reddish bark, peeling in horizontal
strips. A naturalized species in Cyprus,
frequently found as an escaped from
cultivations on the Troodos range
(800-1750 m alt.). Native of central
and souther Europe to northwest Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Crystal druses pre-
sent. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light. Layered phellem.

Xylem
Vessels solitary or in short radial
multiples. Mean tangential diameter
of vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Fibers very
thick-walled. Rays exclusively uniseri-
ate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Crystal drus-
es present. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.
Prunus avium L.

›T ›T

478
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 26 30 36 41 50.1 53.1 62 69 70.2 70.3 76 78 97 103 106 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B9 B13 B22 B31 B33 B29
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels solitary and in short radial
multiples. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin-
to thick-walled. Tension wood present.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma diffuse to scanty paratracheal.
Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessels length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with one row of upright
and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Rays of two distinct sizes.
Prunus avium L.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

479
 Prunus domestica L.
Plum Tree
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduos shrub or tree up to 10 m
high, with brownish bark and very
often with sucker roots. A naturalized
species in Cyprus, frequently found
as an escape from cultivation on the
Troodos range (800-1750 m alt). Long
cultivated and naturalized in Europe,
western Asia and north Africa.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Pris-
matic crystals and crystal druses pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light. Layered phellem.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of first
growth ring vessels 20-50 μm. Rays
predominantly uniseriate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Crystal druses present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
Prunus domestica L.

distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

480
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 26 30 36 41 50.1 52.3 58 62 69 70 70.2 76 78 96 98 103 107 115 144 145
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B13 B20 B22 B31 B33 B29
Pith: P1 P2 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in ter-
minal latewood. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels solitary and in short radial
multiples. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Ten-
sion wood present. Apotracheal paren-
chyma diffuse. Paratracheal parenchy-
ma scanty. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).
Body ray cells procumbent with mostly
2-4 rows of upright and square mar-
ginal cells. Crystal druses in ray paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate.
Prunus domestica L.

Wood basic density: 0,60 g/cm³

›T ›T

481
 Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb
Almond Tree
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 8 m high, some-
times with spine-tipped twigs (espe-
cially in wild plants). Flowers are white
or pink; fruit bitter in wild plants and
sweet in cultivated trees. Native to
central and northwest Asia, in Cyprus
frequently found as an escape from
cultivations (0-1600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Only
some rays become dilated. Fibers
scatter or irregularly dispersed and in
small groups. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Cortex consist of
large and small thin-walled parenchy-
ma cells. Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Wood ring-porous. Vessel clusters
common. Rays with procumbent,
square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.
›T
Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Crystal druses pre-
sent. Lacticifers or intercellular canals
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate to not distinct. Tra-
cheary elements of metaxylem in dis-
tinct radial rows. Axial cells in regular
rows (radial section).

›T ›T

482
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 10 13 22 26 31 36 41 49 52.3 62 70 76 78 96 98 102 103 107 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B6 B9 B13 B14 B20 B22 B28 B31
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P6.2 P7 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood. Wood semi-ring-
porous to ring-porous. Vessels solitary
and in radial multiples of 4 or more.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 ear-
ly-wood vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. More than 20
rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with mostly 2-4 rows of
square marginal cells. Crystal druses in
ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb

Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm high.

Wood basic density: 0,69 g/cm³

›T ›T

483
 Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem.
Firethorn, Pyracanth
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, spiny shrub up to 3 m
high. Leaves alternate, elliptic or obo-
vate. Flowers white in many flowered
corymbs, fruit a red or orange pome.
Native of southern Europe eastward to
Iran. Cultivated in Cyprus as ornamen-
tal in gardens and parks (0-1400 m
alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Fibers
grouped. Cortex consist of large and
small thin-walled parenchyma cells.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T
Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem.

Pith
Pith shape round. Pith heterogeneous.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Prismatic crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-
tion).

›T ›T

484
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 22 25 30 31 40.1 50.1 52.3 62 69 70 76 78 86 96.1 97 109 116.2
Twig bark: B4 B14 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous.
Vessels predominantly solitary. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels less than 20 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thick- to very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse and
scanty paratracheal. Axial parenchyma
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessel-ray pits mainly with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Fibers with distinctly bor-
dered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem.

Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

485
 Pyrus communis L.
Common Pear
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 10 m high, very
similar to the Syrian pear. Leaves al-
ternate, narrowly ovate. In Cyprus it is
cultivated on a limited scale, especially
in the more elevated valleys (200-1700
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids
in tangential rows and scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. Phellem homogeneous. Epi-
dermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Rays predominantly uniseriate. Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). With prismatic crystals
and crystal druses. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascu-
Pyrus communis L.

lar bundles clearly separate from one

other and not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

486
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 11 13 22 25 30 31 40.2 50.2 52.3 62 69 70 70.3 76 78 86 96 97 107 109 116.2 136
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B17 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous to diffuse-porous. Vessel clus-
ters common. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm.
More than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled. Axial paren-
chyma diffuse and scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in narrow
bands or lines up to three cells wide.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular with
large apertures. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 100-200 μm. Fibers with
distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). Body ray cells procumbent with
mostly 2-4 rows of square marginal
cells. Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Prismatic crystals present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Pyrus communis L.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

487
 Pyrus malus L.
Apple Tree
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 10 m high.
Branches sometimes armed, flowers
white or pink, fruit yellow–green in
wild plants. Leaves alternate, narrowly
ovate. Cultivated in Cyprus, wild plants
are found along roadsides on the
Troodos range (100-1800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids
in tangential row and scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels solitary and in short radial
multiples. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina less than 20
μm. Rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the
›T
ray.

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogeneous pith.
Thick-walled parenchyma cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits
grouped. Vascular bundles clearly sep-
arate. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).
Pyrus malus L.

›T ›T

488
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 13 21 22 25 30 31 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 62 69 70 76 78 86 96 97 107 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B17 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. More than 200
vessels per mm2. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Axial paren-
chyma in narrow bands or lines up to
three cells wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to interves-
sel pits in size and shape throughout
the ray cell. Vessel-ray pits rounded
or angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length 100-200
μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Body ray cells
procumbent with mostly 2-4 rows of
upright and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 4 cells wide.
Pyrus malus L.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

489
 Pyrus syriaca Boiss.
Syrian Pear
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 10 m high, with
rounded or spreading crown. Branches
greyish, often terminating to a long
spine. The flowers are white and fruits
are yellowish. Indigenous to eastern
Mediterranean region, eastward to Iran.
In Cyprus it grows on hillsides, river
banks and fields (100-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows and grouped. Prismatic
crystals present. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
square marginal cells.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.
Cell content present (dark staining
substances). With prismatic crystals
and crystal druses. its in transverse
Pyrus syriaca Boiss.

and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular

bundles clearly separate to not dis-
tinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T

490
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 11 13 22 25 30 31 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 62 69 70 76 78 86 96.1 97 104 106 116.2 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B14 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary or in
clusters. Vessels of two distinct diam-
eter classes. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thick- to very thick-walled. Axial paren-
chyma diffuse and scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in narrow
bands or lines up to three cells wide.
More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fib-
ers with distinctly bordered pits (fiber
tracheids). All ray cells procumbent,
occasionally body ray cells procumbent
with one row of square marginal cells.
Prismatic crystals in axial parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate.
Pyrus syriaca Boiss.

Wood basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T ›T

491
 Rosa canina L.
Dog Rose
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 4 m high.
Branches erected or arched, strongly
armed with curved or hooked prickles;
leaflets serrate, dark-green; flowers
pink or white. Indigenous to Europe
and western Asia. In Cyprus it occurs
on the Troodos range where it is very
common (600-1900 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Only
some rays become dilated. Fibers
grouped and sclereids in tangential
rows. Crystal druses present. Cortex
consist of large and small thin-walled
parenchyma cells. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4
common. Some intervessel pits sca-
lariform. Tyloses absent. Radial flat
marginal fibers. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
›T
throughout the ray.

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic,
small cells in rows. Crystal druses
present. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls (radial section).
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct.
Rosa canina L.

›T ›T

492
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 13 21 22 25 30 36 40.2 50.1 52.3 60 62 69 70 76 78 96 98 102 103 105 109 116.2 136
Twig bark: B4 B6 B9 B14 B17 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P4.2 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
ring-porous. Vessel clusters common.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 100-200 μm, 100-200
vessels per mm2. Tyloses with thin
walls common. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Rays 12-20
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). Body ray cells procumbent with
mostly 2-4 rows of upright and square
marginal cells. Prismatic crystals in ray
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.
Rosa canina L.

Wood basic density: 0,57 g/cm³

›T ›T

493
 Rosa damascena Mill.
Damask Rose
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 3 m high.
Branches erected or arched, armed
with strong, curved or hooked prickles.
Leaflets serrate, glaucous-green, flow-
ers double, pink and sweetly scented.
Widely cultivated in Cyprus, occur-
ring as a relic of cultivation in several
places (0-1700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Collapsed sieve tubes present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
grouped. Sclereids scattered or ir-
regularly dispersed. Prismatic crystals
present. Cortex consist of large and
small thin-walled parenchyma cells.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Axial
parenchyma extremely rare. Rays width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements
Rosa damascena Mill.

of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec- ›T
tion).

›T

494
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 11 13 22 25 30 36 41 50.1 52.2 60 62 64 69 70 76 78 96 98 102 103 105 109 116.2 136
Twig bark: B4 B6 B7 B14 B18 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood and by radially
flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-po-
rous to semi-ring-porous. Vessels soli-
tary and in clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
50-100 μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse and scanty paratra-
cheal. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 50-100 μm. Vascular and/
or vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber tra-
cheids). Helical thickenings in ground
tissue fibers. All ray cells upright and
square. Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Prismatic crystals present.
›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.
Rosa damascena Mill.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

495
 Rosa micrantha Borrer ex Sm. subsp. chionistrae
(H. Lindb.) H. Reichert et Hand
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub up to 3 m high.
Branches erected or arched, armed
with curved or hooked prickles. Leaf-
lets dark green, bi-serrate, densely
glandular below; flowers white. Endem-
ic to Cyprus, restricted to the Troodos
Rosa micrantha Borrer ex Sm. subsp. chionistrae (H. Lindb.) H. Reichert et Hand

area, rather uncommon (1100-1950 m

alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Only
some rays become dilated. Fibers in
tangential rows. Crystal druses pre-
sent. Cortex homogeneous. Epidermis
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Wood semi-ring-porous. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessel
lumina 20-40 μm. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith round to polygonal. Cells dimor-
phic, with small cells in rows. Crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
longitudinal cell walls. Axial arrange-
ment of cells in regular rows (radial
section). Vascular bundles clearly
separate.

›T ›T

496
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 13 22 26 30 36 41 48 53.1 56 60 62 69 70 70.3 76 78 98 102 103 106 107 115 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B6 B12 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
ring-porous. Vessels predominantly

Rosa micrantha Borrer ex Sm. subsp. chionistrae (H. Lindb.) H. Reichert et Hand
solitary. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessels lumina 100-200 μm,
20-40 vessels per mm2. Tyloses with
thin walls present. Fibers thick to- very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Rays per mm
4-12.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessels
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in di-
ameter). Vessels-rays pits with distinct
border and similar to intervessel pits
in shape and size. Helical thickenings
in vessels element. Earlywood vessel
element length 200-500 μm. Vascular
and vasicentric tracheids present. Fib-
ers with distinctly bordered pits. Body
ray cells procumbent with 1-3 rows of
square marginal cells. Prismatic crys-
tals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 8 to 10 seriate. Rays height more
than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,59 g/cm³

›T ›T

497
 Rubus discolor Boiss
Blackberry
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 2 m high. Very
similar to R. sanctus but with larger
leaflets, flowers and fruits. A natural-
ized species on Cyprus, occurring
mainly in the Troodos area (800-1800
m alt.). A native of Europe, the Cauca-
sus, Turkey and Lebanon.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclereids in tangential bands.
Prismatic crystals and crystal druses
present. Epidermis distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
Larger rays 3-5 seriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape pentagonal. Cells dimor-
phic, with small cells in radial rows.
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in
transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
Rubus discolor Boiss

rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem

in distinct radial rows. Axial cells in
regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

498
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 41 45 50.1 52.2 60 62 69 70 78 96 98 102 103 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B17 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.3 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous to
ring-porous. Vessels solitary and in ra-
dial multiples of 2 to 4 and in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 100-200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Vascular and vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with distinctly
bordered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.
Rubus discolor Boiss

Wood basic density: 0,47 g/cm³

›T ›T

499
 Rubus sanctus Schreb
Holy Bramble, Blackberry
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Shrub up to 2 m high, with spiny and
distinctly angled stems. Flowers 5-mer-
ous, pink or white-pink; fruit an aggre-
gate of one-seeded drupelets. Indig-
enous to western and central Europe
eastward to Afghanistan. A widespread
species in Cyprus growing in moist
places (0-1600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Fibers
in tangential bands. Prismatic crystals
and crystal druses present. Cortex
consist of large and small cells. Phel-
lem homogeneous. Epidermis distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Growth rings clearly demarcated only
along some radii. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessel lumina less
than 20 μm. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape pentagonal. Cells dimor-
phic, with small cells in rows. Prismatic
crystals present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
Rubus sanctus Schreb

dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.

›T ›T

500
Stem xylem: 1 3 4 9 9.1 13 22 26 30 41 45 49 53.1 60 62 69 70 76 78 96 99 102 103 109 115 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B9 B12 B20 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.3 P4 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous to
ring-porous. Vessels solitary or in radi-
al multiples of 2 to 4. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2.
Vessels of two distinct diameter class-
es. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with distinctly
bordered pits (fiber tracheids). Rays
with procumbent, square and upright
cells mixed throughout the ray. Pris-
matic crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate. Larger ray
height more than 1 mm.
Rubus sanctus Schreb

Wood basic density: 0,46 g/cm³

›T ›T

501
 Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach
Prickly Burnet
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Small, much branched, spinose shrub
up to 0,5 m high. Widely distributed in
the eastern Mediterranean, and east-
ward to Sardinia. In Cyprus it grows
in phrygana and impoverished areas,
where it is frequently the dominant
species. It is very common in many
parts of the island (0-1250 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Few prismatic
crystals present. Epidermis distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Fibers very thick-walled. Axial paren-
chyma diffuse not observed. Rays
exclusively uniseriate.
Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. With thick-walled
parenchyma cells. Cells dimorphic.
Small prismatic crystals and few crystal
druses present. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows. Axial cells in regu-
lar rows (radial section).

›T ›T

502
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 11 13 22 27 30 40.2 50.2 52.3 56 60 61 65 69 70 70.3 75 76 78 96 98 102 103 105 116.2 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B20 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4.1 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted and thick-walled late-
wood fibers. Wood semi-ring-porous to
diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal and
radial pattern and in clusters. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls com-
mon. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma extremely rare or
not to recognizable, diffuse and scanty
paratracheal in earlywood.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, large (more than 10 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
100-200 μm. Vascular and/or vasi-
centric tracheids present. Fibers with
simple to minutely bordered pits (libri-
form fibers). Septate fibers present. All
ray cells upright and square. Prismatic
crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and 4 to 10 seriate. Larger rays height
more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T

503
 Sorbus cretica (Lindl.) Fritsch = Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz sub-
sp. cretica (Lindl.) Holmboe
Rosaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub or small tree up
to 15 m high, with broadly ovoid or
pyramidal crown. Flowers white, fruit
a sub-globose, red pome. Native to
south Europe and east Mediterranean.
In Cyprus it is restricted to the highest
parts of Troodos (1000-1950 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers scattered
or irregularly dispersed in phloem,
in groups in the cortex. Sclereids in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals
present. Phellem homogeneous. Cell
content in some phellem cells.

Xylem
Wood semi-ring-porous. Axial paren-
chyma extremely rare. Rays predomi-
nantly uniseriate. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray. Rays 12-20 per
›T
mm.

Pith
Sorbus cretica (Lindl.) Fritsch

Pith shape roundish to polygonal.

With thick-walled parenchyma cells.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits in
transverse cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Axial cells in regular
rows (radial section).

›T ›T

504
Stem xylem: 1 5 11 13 22 25 30 36 41 45 49 53.1 61 69 70 76 78 97 106 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B9 B13 B14 B15 B17 B20 B28 B31
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P13

Rosaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness and by a lack of vessels
in terminal latewood. Wood diffuse-
porous. Vessel clusters common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 50-100 μm, 40-100 vessels
per mm2. Vessels of two distinct diam-
eter classes. Fibers thick- to very thick-
walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse and
scanty paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of upright and square mar-
ginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section Sorbus cretica (Lindl.) Fritsch

Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T ›T

505
 Asperula cypria Ehrend.
Rubiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched subshrub up to 60
cm high, with tetragonal, often red-
dish shoots. Leaves opposite or 4-10
whorled, linear or obovate. Flowers
and fruits very small. A very common
endemic of Cyprus, occurring in hill-
sides and mountain range all over the
island (0-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Cortex consist of
large and small thin-walled cells.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse cell walls, longitudi-
nal cell walls.
Asperula cypria Ehrend.

›T ›T

506
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 9.1 11 13 22 25 31 40.1 45 49 52.3 62 69 75 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4
Pith: P1.1 P4 P9.1

Rubiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous to
diffuse-porous. Vessels in diagonal and
radial pattern. Vessels in radial multi-
ples of 2 to 4 or in clusters. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
less than 20 μm. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes, 40-100 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable. More than
20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or angular
with large apertures. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). All ray cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Asperula cypria Ehrend.

Wood basic density: 0,51 g/cm³

›T ›T

507
 Plocama calabrica (L.f.) M. Backlund et Thulin
= Putoria calabrica (L.f.) DC.
Rubiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Small, much branched, prostate shrub
usually less than 15 cm high. Leaves
opposite, narrow, oblong-elliptic. Flow-
ers rich pink; fruit a reddish or black-
ish drupe. It occurs in the Mediterrane-
an countries; in Cyprus it grows mainly
on Troodos mountain range (300-1500
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Phloem uniform. Cortex homogene-
ous. Layered phellem.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly in small clus-
ters. Mean tangential diameter of early-
Plocama calabrica (L.f.) M. Backlund et Thulin

wood vessel lumina less than 20 μm.

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Pits in transverse and longitudinal cell
walls, sometimes grouped. Vascular
bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

508
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 11 13 22 26 30 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 58 60 62 69 78 89 96.1 97 105 116.2
Twig bark: B8 B29
Pith: P1 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.2

Rubiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels solitary or in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina 20-50 μm, 100-
200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of two
distinct diameter classes. Gums and
other deposits in heartwood vessels
and fibers. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal.
Apotracheal parenchyma in marginal
or in seemingly marginal bands. More
than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with distinctly

Plocama calabrica (L.f.) M. Backlund et Thulin

bordered pits (fiber tracheids). All ray
cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate, some
few rays up to 3 cells wide.

Wood basic density: 0,37 g/cm³

›T ›T

509
 Rubia laurae (Holmboe) Airy Shaw
Rubiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Trailing or climbing subshrub up to
100 cm long. Leaves 4-whorled, nar-
rowly ovate, leathery. Flowers yellow-
ish–brown; fruit a shining, black berry.
Endemic to Cyprus, growing in pine
forests and thickets (0-1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Crystal sand
present. Cortex consist of two distinct
layers, the innermost with large and
small, thin-walled, mostly unlignified
cell, the outermost with thin-walled lig-
nified cells. Epidermis distinct in polar-
ized light. Lignified cells in phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Rubia laurae (Holmboe) Airy Shaw

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Heterogenous pith.
Unlignified cells present. Cells dimor-
phic. Crystal druses present. Vascular
bundles not distinct.

›T ›T

510
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 9.1 13 21 22 25 30 36 40.1 50.2 52.3 62 69 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B23 B33 B34
Pith: P1 P3 P3.4 P4.1 P6.2 P10.2

Rubiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
and in radial multiples of 2 to 4. Mean
tangential diameter of vessels less
than 20 μm, more than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, small (4-7
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with distinctly bordered pits (fiber trac-
heids). All ray cells upright.

Rubia laurae (Holmboe) Airy Shaw

›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: ND

›T

511
 Rubia tenuifolia d’Urv.
Rubiaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Climbing shrub with tetragonal stems
up to 3 m long. Leaves 4-6 whorled,
broadly ovate or lanceolate. Flowers
small, green-yellowish; fruit a shining,
black berry. It occurs in Greece, Tur-
key, Syria and Iraq. It grows almost all
over Cyprus on stone walls, field edges
and garigue (0-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and sieve tubes
present. Acicular crystals and crystal
sand present. Cortex consist of large
and small thin-walled cells. Layered
phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Cells dimorphic. Vascular bun-
dles not distinct.
Rubia tenuifolia d’Urv.

›T ›T

512
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 11 13 22 26 30 36 40.2 50.1 53.1 62 69 70.3 76 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B4.1 B21 B23 B29
Pith: P1 P2 P4 P10.2

Rubiaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels solitary or in clusters.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Ra-
dial flat marginal fibers present. Axial
parenchyma diffuse and scanty paratra-
cheal. More than 20 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).
All ray cells upright.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Rubia tenuifolia d’Urv.

Wood basic density: 0,35 g/cm³

›T ›T

513
 Citrus aurantium L.
Seville Orange, Bitter Orange
Rutaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 6 m high. Leaves
alternate, ovate or elliptic. Flowers
white, fragrant; fruit a globose, or-
ange-coloured berry. Native to tropical
and subtropical Asia, it is cultivated
since ancient times in all Mediterra-
nean countries; found all over Cyprus
(0-1000 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed sieve
tubes present. Some rays become di-
lated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and
in cortex. Fiber in tangential rows and in
groups. Sclereids scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals present.
With laticifers or intercellular canals. Epi-
dermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels in short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
predominantly uniseriate. ›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content
present (dark staining substances).
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Citrus aurantium L.

Vascular bundles clearly separate to

not distinct. Tracheary elements of
metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

514
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 13 21 22 24 30 39.1 40.2 45 49 53.1 58 61 69 70 76 78 86 96 97 104 106 115 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B12 B14 B18 B20 B25 B27 B33
Pith: P1.2 P3.3 P4.2 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Rutaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers and by a lack of vessels in termi-
nal latewood. Wood semi-ring-porous
to diffuse-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly solitary. Vessels cell wall thick
(more than 2 μm). Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
›T ›T
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. Rays 4-12 per mm.
Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 200-500 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells procum-
bent. Body ray cells procumbent with
one row of upright and square mar-
ginal cells. Prismatic crystals in axial
parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Citrus aurantium L.

Wood basic density: 0,73 g/cm³

›T ›T

515
 Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.
Lemon
Rutaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 6 m high. Leaves
alternate, ovate to oblong, leathery.
Flowers white with a pleasant smell;
fruit an ovoid, yellow berry. A cultivat-
ed species, with great economic impor-
tance for Cyprus. Sometimes planted
in gardens, and streets in urban areas
(0-600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Fibers in tangential rows
and grouped. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. With secretory elements in ducts.
Phellem homogeneous, distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular. Cells dimorphic.
With prismatic and Acicular crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.

gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles

clearly separate. Vascular bundles not
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

516
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 36 39.1 40.2 50.2 52.2 60 61 70 76 89 96 97 98 105 108
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B12 B14 B20 B25 B26 B31 B33
Pith: P1.2 P4.1 P6 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Rutaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels predomi-
nantly in short radial multiples and
solitary. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm. More
than 200 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse.
Axial parenchyma in marginal or in
seemingly marginal bands.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Helical
thickenings in vessel elements present.
Earlywood vessel element length 50-
100 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform fib-
ers). All uniseriate ray cells upright and
square. Body ray cells of multiseriate
rays procumbent with over 4 rows of
square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and 1 to 3 cells wide.
Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.

Wood basic density: 0,54 g/cm³

›T ›T

517
 Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck
Orange, Sweet Orange
Rutaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen tree up to 6 m high. Leaves
alternate, ovate to lanceolate, leathery.
Flowers white, with a pleasant smell;
fruit a globose, orange-coloured berry.
A cultivated species, with great eco-
nomic importance for Cyprus. Some-
times planted in gardens, and streets
in urban areas (0-600 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Fibers grouped and arranged
in tangential rows. Prismatic crystals
present. With secretory elements in
ducts. Cortex consist of large and
small cells. Epidermis distinct in polar-
ized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Rays
predominantly uniseriate. Ray cells
upright or square.
›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular. Heterogeneous
pith. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck

present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content

present (dark staining substances).
Prismatic crystals and crystal druses
present. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate to not distinct.
Tracheary elements of metaxylem in
distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

518
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 40.2 45 50.1 52.3 58 61 69 70 76 78 89 96 98 104 106 120 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B12 B14 B20 B25 B26 B31 B33
Pith: P1.2 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Rutaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary,
sometimes in radial multiples of 2 to 4.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma diffuse
and scanty paratracheal. Axial paren-
chyma in marginal or in seemingly
marginal bands.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
distinct borders, similar to interves-
sel pits in size and shape throughout
the ray cell. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). All uniseriate ray cells procum-
bent. Body ray cells of multiseriate rays
procumbent with one row of upright
and square marginal cells. Prismatic
crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 10 seriate.
Axial parenchyma and vessel elements
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck

storied.

Wood basic density: 0,64 g/cm³

›T ›T

519
 Ruta chalepensis L.
Fringed Rue
Rutaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Foetid-smelling subshrub up to 80 cm
high. Leaves alternate, compound with
obovate or oblong leaflets. Flowers
yellow–green; fruit a capsule. Native to
Mediterranean countries and Atlantic
islands. In Cyprus it grows on rocky
places and cliffs (0-800 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Fibers scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Crystal druses present.
Cortex consist of large and small cells.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm. Vessels in
radial multiples of 4 or more common.
Crystal druses present, rather rare.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Crystal druses present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles at the periph-
ery of the pith, clearly separated to not
Ruta chalepensis L.

distinct.

›T ›T

520
Stem xylem: 1 5 6 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 45 50.2 52.3 58 61 69 78 96 97 103 109 116.1 144
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B13 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P5 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2

Rutaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Vessels in
tangential bands. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4 and in clusters, more
than 200 vessels per mm2. Vessels of
two distinct diameter classes. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm. Gums and other depos-
its in heartwood vessels. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray. Crystal druses present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 3 cells wide.
Ruta chalepensis L.

Wood basic density: 0,64 g/cm³

›T ›T

521
 Populus alba L.
White Poplar
Salicaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 30 m high. Bark
grey-white with numerous lenticels.
Leaves alternate, five-lobed, densely
hairy below. It grows on moist places
along stream and rivers (0-1400 m
alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers with unlignified innermost layer
present. Fibers in tangential rows and
grouped. Sclereids scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogenous pith. Fibers
present. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. With prismat-
ic crystals and druses. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate to
not distinct. Tracheary elements of
Populus alba L.

metaxylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

522
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 10 13 21 26 31 41 49 53.2 61 68 70.2 70.3 75 78 96 104 116.1 144
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B10 B12 B14 B15 B18 B20 B22 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3 P3.2 P3.3 P4 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Salicaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 4
or more. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 100-200 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thin-walled. Tension wood present.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma absent or extremely rare or not
to recognizable. Rays 12-20 mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessels length more than 500
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent. Crystal druses pre-
sent.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Populus alba L.

Wood basic density: 0,42 g/cm³

›T ›T

523
 Populus nigra L.
Black Poplar, Lombard Poplar
Salicaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 30 m high.
Crown narrow with fastigiate branch-
ing, or wide and spreading. Leaves
alternate, deltoid-ovate. It grows in
moist places along stream and rivers
(0-1400 m alt.). It also occur in the
Balkan peninsula, north Africa and
eastward to Iran.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers with unlignified innermost layer
present. Fibers in tangential rows and
grouped. Sclereids scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Prismatic crystals and
crystal druses present. Cell content in
parenchyma cells. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 50-100 μm,
›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Medullary sheath
present. Heterogenous pith. Fibers
present. Thick-walled parenchyma cells
present. Cells dimorphic. Prismatic
crystals and crystal druses present.
Pits in transverse and in longitudinal
cell walls. Vascular bundles clearly
separate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
Populus nigra L.

ments of metaxylem in distinct radial

rows.

›T ›T

524
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 10 13 21 26 31 41 49 50.1 53.2 61 68 70.2 70.3 75 78 96 104 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B9 B10 B12 B14 B15 B18 B20 B22 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P2 P3 P3.2 P3.3 P4 P6 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P12

Salicaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples of 4
or more. Mean tangential diameter of
earlywood vessel lumina 100-200 μm,
40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers very
thin-walled. Tension wood present.
Radial flat marginal fibers. Axial paren-
chyma absent or extremely rare or not
to recognizable. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessels length more than 500
μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells procumbent.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate.
Ppulus nigra L.

Wood basic density: 0,43 g/cm³

›T ›T

525
 Salix alba L.
White Willow
Salicaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 30 m high (usu-
ally lower on Cyprus). Flowers small,
born in catkins; fruit a hairy capsule.
Native of Europe, Mediterranean coun-
tries and eastward to central Asia. It
grows in moist places, along streams
and rivers. Not common on Cyprus (0-
1400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in tan-
gential rows. In cortex groups of fibers
with an unlignified innermost layer.
Sclereids scattered or irregularly dis-
persed. Prismatic crystals and crystal
druses present. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous.
Epidermis distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Prismatic crystals and crys-
tal druses present. Vascular bundles
clearly separate to not distinct. Axial
cells in regular rows (radial section).
Salix alba L.

›T ›T

526
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 13 22 26 31 40.2 50.1 53.2 58 61 68 70.2 78 96 106 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B10 B12 B18 B20 B22 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P5 P6 P6.2 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Salicaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels solitary or
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 elements.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits in
heartwood vessels. Fibers very thin-
walled. Tension wood present. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. Rays
12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or
angular with large apertures. Early-
wood vessel element length more than
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Salix alba L.

Wood basic density: 0,38 g/cm³

›T ›T

527
 Acer obtusifolium Sm.
Maple
Sapindaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Small evergreen tree or large shrub
up to 10 m high. Leaves three-lobed,
leathery, dark green. Fruit a double
samara with papery wings. An East
Mediterranean species, native to Cy-
prus. It grows on rocky slopes, pine
forests and near streams in mountain-
ous areas (0-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
slightly dilated. Fibers and sclereids in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Cortex consist of large and small
cells. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary or in
short radial multiples. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels less
than 20 μm. Rays predominantly unise-
riate. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape roundish. Cell dimorphic.
Heterogeneous pith. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cell content
present. Prismatic crystals present. Pits
Acer obtusifolium Sm.

in transverse and in longitudinal cell

walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

528
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 10 13 22 25 30 36 40.2 50.2 53.1 61 69 70.2 70.3 78 79 96 98 102 103 106 116.1 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B4.1 B9 B12 B17 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Sapindaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled,
marginal fibers radially flattened. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays
12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Interves-
sel pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Ray
cells procumbent, few squared margin-
al cells in some rays. Prismatic crystals
in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 10 cells wide. Some of the
larger rays more than 1 mm high.
Acer obtusifolium Sm.

Wood basic density: 0,70 g/cm³

›T ›T

529
 Acer pseudoplatanus L.
Sycamore
Sapindaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 30 m high.
Leaves opposite, five-lobed. Fruit a
winged, double samara. Indigenous to
northern and central Europe, Greece,
Caucasus area and Armenia. Exotic to
Cyprus and rather rare. It can be found
mainly in roadside plantations on
Troodos range (1000-1700 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
slightly dilated. Fibers and sclereids
grouped in tangential rows. Cortex ho-
mogeneous Prismatic crystals present.
Phellem homogeneous. Epidermis and
phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels predominantly solitary or in
short radial multiples. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels less
than 20 μm. Rays predominantly unise-
riate. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T

Pith
Pith shape roundish. Cells dimorphic.
Heterogeneous pith. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cell content
Acer pseudoplatanus L.

present (dark staining substances).

Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Some Vascular bundles clearly separate
some not distinct. Axial cells in regular
rows (radial section).

›T ›T

530
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 13 22 26 30 36 41 50.1 53.1 61 69 70.2 70.3 78 79 96 97 102 103 104 106 116.1 136 141.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B4.1 B9 B12 B17 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Sapindaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 elements.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 50-100 μm; 100-200 vessels
per mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Marginal fibers radially flattened. Ten-
sion wood present. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays
12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Intervessel
pits alternate, large (more than 10 μm
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Ray
cells procumbent, some rays with one
row of squared marginal cells. Prismat-
ic crystals in axial parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and up to 5 cells wide. Some of the
larger rays more than 1 mm high.
Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Wood basic density: 0,44 g/cm³

›T ›T

531
 Aesculus hippocastanum L.
Horse-Chestnut, Conker tree
Sapindaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A deciduous tree which grows up to
35 m, with a domed crown of stout
branches; on old trees the outer
branches often pendulous with curled-
up tips. The leaves are opposite and
palmately compound, with 5–7 leaf-
lets. Exotic to Cyprus, planted in moist
places (1500-1700 m alt.)

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in tangential
rows. Collapsed sieve tubes present.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex. Fibers in tangential rows, scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Sclereids
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light. Layered phelloderm.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
Aesculus hippocastanum L.

present. Heterogenous pith. Thick-

walled parenchyma cells in lines. Crys-
tal druses present. Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles clearly separate.

›T ›T

532
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 13 21 26 30 40.2 50.2 53.1 68 70.2 70.3 75 96 104 116.1
Twig bark: B2 B4 B7 B9 B12 B13 B15 B18 B31 B33 B35
Pith: P1 P2 P3 P3.3 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Sapindaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels in radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4 common. Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm, more than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers very thin-walled. Tension
wood present. Radial flat marginal
fibers. Axial parenchyma absent or
extremely rare or not to recognizable.
Rays per mm 12-20.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessels-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 200-
500 μm. All ray cells procumbent.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Aesculus hippocastanum L.

Wood basic density: 0,39 g/cm³

›T ›T

533
 Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.
Hopseed Bush
Sapindaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 4 m high.
Leaves alternate, lanceolate. Indige-
nous to tropical and subtropical zones,
especially of Australia. Naturalized
(invasive) to Cyprus, it grows in hedg-
es, field margins, roadsides and some-
times in shrublands (0-500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Scleren-
chyma cells in phloem and in cortex.
Fibers in tangential bands. Prismatic
crystals present. Phellem distinct in
polarized light. Layered phellem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.

present. Cells dimorphic. Cell content

present (dark staining substances).
Prismatic crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls. Pits
grouped. Vascular bundles not clearly
distinct. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

534
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 10 13 22 24 30 36 39.1 40.2 49 52.3 58 60 61 70 78 96.1 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B7 B12 B20 B33 B29
Pith: P1 P2 P4.1 P5 P6 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.2 P12 P13

Sapindaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels in radial multiples of 2 to 4 com-
mon. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels 20-50 μm, 40-
100 vessels per mm2. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
very thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Rays 12-20 per
mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings in vessel
elements present. Earlywood vessel
element length 100-200 μm. Vascular
and/or vasicentric tracheids present.
Fibers with simple to minutely bor-
dered pits (libriform fibers). Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays mostly uniseriate, sometimes bi-
Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.
seriate.

Wood basic density: 0,90 g/cm³

›T ›T

535
 Antirrhinum majus L.
Snapdragon
Scrophulariaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling perennial subshrub,
30-100 cm high, with terete stems.
Flowers showy, purple or whitish; fruit
a capsule. Widely cultivated in Cyprus
as a garden plant, naturalised in Pen-
tadaktylos range where it is locally
common (0-800m alt.). Widespread in
the Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Fibers in small
groups tangentially arranged. Cortex
homogeneous, it consist of thin-walled
parenchyma cells.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina less than 20 μm. Larger
rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped. Vascular bundles
clearly separate. Tracheary elements
of metaxylem in distinct radial rows.
Antirrhinum majus L.

Axial cells in regular rows (radial sec-

tion).

›T ›T

536
Stem xylem: 1 5 9.1 11 13 22 25 30 40.2 45 49 52.3 61 69 78 97 99 102 103 105 114 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B12 B31
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P12 P13

Scrophulariaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels predominantly in short radial mul-
tiples and in clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Axial parenchyma
in marginal or seemingly marginal
bands. Less than 4 rays per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square. Prismatic
crystals in ray parenchyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: ray width
predominantly 1 to 3 cells, larger rays
commonly more than 10 seriate. Larger
rays height more than 1 mm.
Antirrhinum majus L.

Wood basic density: 0,43 g/cm³

›T ›T

537
 Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Tree of Haven, Ailanthus
Simarubaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree up to 30 m high.
Leaves compound, 40-50 cm long.
Naturalized to Cyprus, found on rocky
places, wastelands, and road side
(0-1500 m alt.). Native to China, but
found naturalized in many European
countries and in north Africa.

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed, and
grouped in tangential bands. Sclereids
grouped in between fiber bands. Crys-
tal druses present. Phellem homogene-
ous, distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessel clusters common. Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessel lu-
mina 100-200 μm. Rays predominantly
1 to 3 seriate.
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Crystal sand present. Inter-
cellular canals with border cells. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Tracheary elements of metaxylem
in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

538
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 9 11 13 22 25 30 36 43 48 53.1 58 61 69 79 83 89 98 99 102 106 107 114
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B9 B12 B13 B14 B15 B19 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P5 P6.4 P8 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Simarubaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by radi-
ally flatted latewood fibers. Wood ring-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary
and in cluster
s, latewood vessels in diagonal pattern.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina more than 200 μm, 20-
40 vessels per mm2. Gums and other
deposits in heartwood vessels. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
vasicentric, sometimes confluent, and
in marginal or in seemingly marginal
›T ›T
bands. Less than 4 rays per mm.

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessels length 200-
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with 1-3 rows of
upright and square marginal cells.

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly more than 10
seriate. Ray height more than 1 mm.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

539
 Lycium ferocissimum Miers
African Boxthorn
Solanaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched shrub up to 6 m high,
with twigs modified into spines. Leaves
usually in clusters, oblanceolate or
narrowly ovate. Flowers tubular, white
with purple spots; fruit a reddish,
globose berry. A naturalized species,
native to South Africa. Introduced to
Cyprus near the beginning of the 20th
century, usually occurring in coastal
areas and inland, mostly along hedges
(0-200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Some rays became dilated. Phloem
uniform. Crystal sand present. Cortex
consist of irregularly shaped cells.
Phellem homogeneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina more than 20 μm. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Pith not visible in po-
Lycium ferocissimum Miers

larized light. Pith heterogenous. Unlig-

nified parenchyma cells present. Scle-
reid in groups at the centre of the pith.
Cells dimorphic. Crystal sand present.
Vascular bundles not distinct. Axial
cells in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

540
Stem xylem: 1 5 7 8 11 13 22 26 30 36 40.2 45 50.1 53.1 62 69 76 78 96 109 116.1
Twig bark: B6 B23 B8 B31
Pith: P1.1 P1 P3 P4 P6.4 P10.2 P13

Solanaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by ra-
dially flatted and thick-walled latewood
fibers. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels
in diagonal and radial pattern, com-
monly in clusters. Vessels of two dis-
tinct diameter classes. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 100-200 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
diffuse and scanty paratracheal. Rays
12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, medium (7-10 μm in
diameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Fibers with dis-
tinctly bordered pits (fiber tracheids).
Rays with procumbent, squared and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.
Crystal sand present.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Lycium ferocissimum Miers

Wood basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T

541
 Lycium schweinfurthii Dammer
Boxthorn
Solanaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, intricately branched shrub
up to 5 m high. Many of the lateral
branches modified into stout spines.
Leaves usually in clusters, oblanceo-
late. An indigenous species, occurring
on costal areas and sand dunes (0-
50 m alt.). Indigenous to the eastern
Mediterranean region.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Cortex homogeneous.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm. Wood diffuse-po-
rous.

›T
Lycium schweinfurthii Dammer

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped. Vascular bundles
not clearly distinct.

›T

542
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 41 48 53.1 60 62 67 68 75 78 96 100.1 105 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B31
Pith: P1 P4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.2

Solanaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct. Wood
diffuse-porous to semi-ring-porous.
Vessels solitary and in short radial mul-
tiples of 2 to 4. Mean tangential diam-
eter of earlywood vessels 50-100 μm,
20-40 vessels per mm2. Vascular and/
or vasicentric tracheids present. Paren-
chyma-like fiber bands alternating with
ordinary fibers. Fibers very thin-walled.
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely
rare or not to recognizable. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. Rays
4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessels length 200-500
μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). Ray cells upright and
square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Lycium schweinfurthii Dammer

Rays uniseriate. Rays confluent with
ground tissue.

Wood basic density: 0,53 g/cm³

›T ›T

543
 Nicotiana glauca Graham
Tobacco Tree
Solanaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, loosely branched shrub
6-10 m high. Leaves alternate, ovate
and acute. Flowers tubular, yellow;
fruit a capsule. A naturalized species in
Cyprus, it grows along roadsides and
on waste or disturbed ground (0-800
m alt.). Native to south America.

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Most of the rays
become dilated. Fibers scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Crystal sand
present. Cortex homogeneous. Phel-
lem homogeneous. Epidermis distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Fibers present. Unligni-
Nicotiana glauca Graham

fied cells present. Cells dimorphic.

With raphides. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Pits grouped.
Vascular bundles at the periphery of
the pith. Tracheary elements of metax-
ylem in distinct radial rows. Axial cells
in regular rows (radial section).

›T ›T

544
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 7 10 13 20 22 24 31 40.2 50.1 53.1 60 61 68 69 76 86 96 97 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B13 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.2 P3.4 P4 P6.3 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10 P12 P13

Solanaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood semi-
ring-porous to diffuse-porous. Ves-
sels in radial pattern. Vessels in radial
multiples of 4 or more common. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sels 20-50 μm, 100-200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers very thin- to thin-walled.
Apotracheal parenchyma diffuse, and
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform to alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits rounded or angular with large
apertures. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, squared and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate and up to 3 cells wide.
Nicotiana glauca Graham

Wood basic density: 0,42 g/cm³

›T ›T

545
 Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Common Winter Cherry
Solanaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect shrub up to 1,5 m high, stems
with few branches, densely covered
with stellate hairs. Leaves alternate or
opposite, broadly ovate. Flowers green-
ish; fruit a globose, red berry. Native
to the southern Europe, in Cyprus it
grows on waste ground and old walls
(0-200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Crystal sand present. Cortex
consist of large and small thin walled
parenchyma cells. Phellem distinct in
polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Rays predom-
inantly uniseriate.

›T
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Unlignified cells present.
Cells dimorphic. Pits in transverse and
in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles at the periphery of the pith.

›T ›T

546
Stem xylem: 1 5 11 13 22 25 31 41 45 53.1 60 61 69 78 79 97 105 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B23 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1 P1.4 P3.4 P4 P9 P9.1 P10

Solanaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood diffuse-porous, Vessel
clusters common. Mean tangential di-
ameter of earlywood vessel lumina 50-
100 μm. Vessels in two distinct diame-
ter classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal
and vasicentric. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in diam-
eter). Vessel-ray pits rounded or an-
gular with large apertures. Earlywood
vessel element length 200-500 μm.
Vascular and/or vasicentric tracheids
present. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). All ray
cells upright and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.

Wood basic density: 0,44 g/cm³

›T ›T

547
 Styrax officinalis L.
Styracaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub 2-6 m high, with
sub-spherical crown. Leaves alternate,
broadly ovate, densely pubescent
below. Flowers white, pendulous,
fragrant; fruit a globose drupe. Wide-
spread in the Mediterranean from
France eastward to Palestine. In Cyprus
it is locally common (0-1300 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Only some rays become dilated. Pris-
matic crystals present. Phloem uni-
form. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
Ray width predominantly uniseriate.
Rays 12-20 per mm. Mean tangential
diameter of the first ring vessel lumina
less than 20 μm. Fibers very thick-
walled.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits of two distinct size. Vascular
bundles not distinct.
Styrax officinalis L.

›T ›T

548
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 11 14 15 22 25 30 40.2 45 50.2 53.2 56 61 69 70.3 76 78 86 96 97 107 115 136 141.1
Twig bark: B6 B20 B8 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4.1 P9 P9.1 P9.3 P10.2

Styracaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
semi-ring to diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary or in clusters. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
20-50 μm. Vessels of two distinct di-
ameter classes. More than 200 vessels
per mm2. Tyloses with thin walls com-
mon. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma diffuse to scanty para-
tracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma in
narrow bands or lines up to three cells
wide. Rays 4-12 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Scalariform perforation plates with
less than 10 bars. Inter-vessel pits
alternate, small (4-7 μm in diameter).
Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders,
similar to intervessel pits in size and
shape throughout the ray cell. Early-
wood vessel element length more than
500 μm. Fibers with simple to minutely
bordered pits (libriform fibers). Body
ray cells procumbent with mostly 2-4
rows of upright and square marginal
cells. Prismatic crystals in axial paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays mostly uniseriate, some ray 1 to 3
cells wide.
Styrax officinalis L.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

549
 Tamarix dalmatica B.R. Baum
Tamarisk
Tamaricaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A shrub up to 3 m high, with greyish
bark and white-pink flowers. Leaves
alternate, minute, scale-like. An appar-
ently rare native to Cyprus, recorded at
several coastal areas (0-200 m alt.). It
is also native in other east Mediterra-
nean countries.

Photo: Börner
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers in
tangential rows or in groups. Sclereids
in radial rows and scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
›T

Pith
Tamarix dalmatica B.R. Baum

Pith shape polygonal. Heterogenous

pith. Sclereids present. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells di-
morphic. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Prismatic crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in lon-
gitudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles
clearly separate.

›T ›T

550
Stem xylem: 1 4 11 13 22 24 30 36 39.1 41 50.1 52.2 60 61 69 78 99 109 115 120
Twig bark: B1 B6 B7 B12 B14 B16 B18 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P3 P3.1 P3.3 P4 P5 P6 P9 P10.1

Tamaricaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood. Wood semi-
ring-porous. Vessels clusters common.
Vessels cell wall thick (more than 2
μm). Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina 50-100 μm, 100-
200 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays 4-12
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Helical thickenings in vessel ele-
ments present. Earlywood vessel ele-
ment length 50-100 μm. Vascular and/
or vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Tamarix dalmatica B.R. Baum

Larger rays commonly more than 10
seriate. Axial parenchyma and vessel
elements storied.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

551
 Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge
Tamarisk
Tamaricaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A deciduous shrub up to 4 m high.
Flowers born in spikes on current-year
shoots. Native of southern Europe and
the eastern Mediterranean as far as
Afghanistan. In Cyprus it grows along
streams, marshy grounds and moist
places on sand dunes, rocky areas and
along roadsides (0-1400 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
in tangential rows, scattered or irregu-
larly dispersed. Sclereids in groups and
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Phel-
lem homogeneous, distinct in polar-
ized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round to irregular. Thick-
Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge

walled parenchyma cells present. Cells

dimorphic. Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate.
›T

›T

552
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 13 20 22 24 27 30 39.1 40.2 49 50.1 52.3 61 69 78 79 98 102 109 115 120 121
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B13 B17 B18 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P9 P9.1 P10.1

Tamaricaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring-porous to diffuse-porous.
Vessels solitary and in radial multiples
of 2 to 4 common. Vessels cell wall
thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tangen-
tial diameter of earlywood vessels 20-
50 μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays
4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform and alternate, minute
(less than 4 μm in diameter). Vessel-
ray pits with distinct borders, similar
to intervessel pits in size and shape
throughout the ray cell. Earlywood ves-
sel element length 100-200 μm. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge
Ray height more than 1 mm. Axial pa-
renchyma and vessel elements storied.
Fibers storied.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

553
 Tamarix tetragyna Ehrenb.
Desert Tamarisk
Tamaricaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub or small tree, 5-15 m
high. Flowers white-pink on elongate
spikes; fruit a capsule. Indigenous to
Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and eastward
to Afghanistan. On Cyprus it grows on
damp sites with fresh or saline water,
mostly by streams and marshy ground
(0-300 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma cells
in phloem and in cortex. Sclereids in
groups. Fibers in tangential rows, scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Phellem
homogeneous, distinct in polarized
light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Thick-walled paren-
Tamarix tetragyna Ehrenb.

chyma cells present. Cells dimorphic.

Cell content present (dark staining
substances). Pits in transverse and in
longitudinal cell walls.

›T ›T

554
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 11 13 22 24 30 40.2 49 52.2 58 61 69 78 79 98 109 115 120 136 136.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B12 B13 B19 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1

Tamaricaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and by
marginal parenchyma bands. Wood
semi-ring- to diffuse-porous. Vessels
solitary and in small clusters. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 40-100 vessels
per mm2. Gums and other deposits
in heartwood vessels. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal to vasicentric. Rays 4-12
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
Rays with procumbent, square and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.
Prismatic crystals in ray parenchyma
cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Tamarix tetragyna Ehrenb.
Axial parenchyma and vessel elements
storied.

Wood basic density: 0,65 g/cm³

›T ›T

555
 Tamarix tetrandra M. Bieb.
Tamarisk
Tamaricaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub, 1,5–3 m high, with
small white-pink flowers born in elon-
gated inflorescences. Indigenous to
southern Russia, the Balkan peninsula,
Turkey, Palestine and Egypt. On Cyprus
it is locally common along streams and
salt lakes (0-400 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube in radial rows.
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and
in cortex. Fibers in tangential rows.
Sclereids in radial rows, scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Crystal sand
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light. Cell content in
phellem cells.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Larger rays
commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round to irregular. Thick-
Tamarix tetrandra M. Bieb.

walled parenchyma cells present. Cells

dimorphic. Cell content present (dark
staining substances). Pits in transverse
and in longitudinal cell walls. Vascular
bundles not clearly distinct. Tracheary ›T
elements of metaxylem in distinct ra-
dial rows.

›T

556
Stem xylem: 1 4 9 9.1 11 13 22 24 30 39.1 41 45 49 52.2 60 69 78 99 109 115 120
Twig bark: B1 B3 B7 B12 B16 B18 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P3.3 P4 P5 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Tamaricaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by the
difference in vessel size between late-
wood and earlywood. Wood semi-ring-
porous. Vessels solitary and in radial
multiples of 2 to 4 elements, and in
clusters. Vessels cell wall thick (more
than 2 μm). Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessel lumina 50-100
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
50-100 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Rays with procum-
bent, square and upright cells mixed
throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly more than 10
Tamarix tetrandra M. Bieb.
seriate. Axial parenchyma and vessel
elements storied.

Wood basic density: 0,62 g/cm³

›T ›T

557
 Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl.
Shaggy Sparrow-Wort
Thymelaeaeceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Erect or sprawling, evergreen shrub up
to 1,5 m high. Leaves alternate, scale-
like, white tomentose below.Flowers
small, yellow; fruit a nutlet. A Mediter-
ranean species, indigenous to Cyprus
occurring on sandy banks and grass
steppes mostly in saline soils (0-50 m
alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Prismatic crystals present.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl.

Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith

shape triangular to polygonal. Fibers
present. Unlignified cells present. Cells
dimorphic. Vascular bundles in the
pith.

›T

558
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 8 10 13 22 25 30 40.1 45 50.1 52.3 58 60 61 69 70 76 78 86 96 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B20
Pith: P1.1 P1.2 P3.2 P3.4 P4 P10

Thymelaeaeceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
zones with fibers of variable cell wall
thickness. Wood semi-ring-porous. Ves-
sels in diagonal or in dendritic pattern.
Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or more
common. Mean tangential diameter
of earlywood vessels less than 20 μm,
100-200 vessels per mm2. Vessels in
two distinct diameter classes. Gums
and other deposits in heartwood ves-
sels. Fibers thick- to very thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in lines. More than 20 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Vascular and/or vasicentric
tracheids present. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Rays with procumbent, square
and upright cells mixed throughtout
the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl.

Rays exclusively uniseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,56 g/cm³

›T ›T

559
 Thymelaea tartonraira subsp. argentea L.
Thymelaeaeceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen, much branched, dioecious
shrub up to 1 m high, with compact,
scoparioid crown shape. Flowers small,
yellowish; fruit a nutlet. An eastern
Mediterranean species, in Cyprus it
grows on dry soils with garigue and
maquis vegetation and on road banks
(0-800 m alt.).

Photo: Hadjikyriakou
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
and sclereids scattered or irregularly
dispersed. Prismatic crystals present.
Phellem distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.
Thymelaea tartonraira subsp. argentea L.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape triangular. Cells dimorphic. Cell
content present (dark staining sub-
stances). Vascular bundles not distinct.

›T

560
Stem xylem: 1 4 7 8 11 13 21 25 30 36 39.1 40.1 45 49 52.2 61 70 76 78 86 96.1 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B13 B18 B20 B33
Pith: P1.1 P1.2 P4 P5 P10.2

Thymelaeaeceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
radially flatted latewood fibers and
by marginal parenchyma cells. Wood
semi-ring-porous. Vessels in dendritic
pattern. Vessel clusters common. Ves-
sels cell wall thick (more than 2 μm).
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels less than 20 μm, 40-100 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers very thick-
walled. Parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits opposite, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 50-100 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Rays with procumbent, squared

Thymelaea tartonraira subsp. argentea L.

and upright cells mixed throughout the
ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays predominantly uniseriate, not
often biseriate.

Wood basic density: 0,68 g/cm³

›T ›T

561
 Ulmus canescens Melville
Mediterranean Elm
Ulmaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous tree, 5-10 m high, with
open crown and fissured grey bark.
Flowers small red-brown; fruit a dry,
winged samara. Indigenous in Mediter-
ranean country from Italy to Palestine.
Uncommon indigenous tree on Cyprus
(0-500 m alt.).

Photo: Brookes
TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Fibers in tangential rows and scattered
or irregularly dispersed. Prismatic
crystals present. Cell content in paren-
chyma cells. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of early-
wood vessel lumina 50-100 μm. Ray
width predominantly 1 to 3 cells. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
square marginal cells. Rays per mm
12-20.
›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Medullary sheath
present. Unlignified cells at the centre
Ulmus canescens Melville

of the pith. Pits in transverse and in

longitudinal cell walls. Vascular bun-
dles clearly separate. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
rows.

›T

562
Stem xylem: 1 3 7 11 13 22 25 30 36 42 48 53.1 60 61 69 70 78 79 83 98 104 114 136 141.1
Twig bark: B12 B13 B20 B28 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P2 P3.3 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P12

Ulmaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries clearly demar-
cated. Wood ring-porous. Vessels in
diagonal and/or radial pattern. Ves-
sel clusters common. Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessel lumina
100-200 μm, 20-40 vessels per mm2.
Fibers thick- to very thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal to
vasicentric sometimes confluent. Less
than 4 rays per mm.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 200-500 μm. Vascular and/or
vasicentric tracheids present. Fibers
with simple to minutely bordered pits
(libriform fibers). All ray cells procum-
bent. Prismatic crystals in axial paren-
chyma cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Larger rays commonly 4 to 10 seriate.
Ulmus canescens Melville

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T ›T

563
 Lantana camara L.
Common Lantana
Verbenaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Evergreen shrub up to 2 m high.
Branches angular, hairy, and frequently
prickly with very short, recurved prick-
les. Leaves opposite, flowers variously
coloured; fruit a blackish drupe. Na-
tive to tropical America, on Cyprus it
is commonly cultivated as ornamental
and sporadically found as an escape
from cultivation (0-1200 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Sclerenchyma
cells in phloem and in cortex. Fibers
scattered or irregularly dispersed. Cell
content in parenchyma cells. Phellem
homogeneous. Lignified cells in phel-
lem.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape square. Cells dimorphic.
Crystal druses present. Pits grouped
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate to not distinct. Tracheary ele-
ments of metaxylem in distinct radial
Lantana camara L.

rows. Axial cells in regular rows (radial

section).

›T ›T

564
Stem xylem: 2 5 9 9.1 10 13 22 24 30 40.2 45 49 53.1 61 69 78 96.1 97 109 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B4 B7 B13 B28 B31 B34
Pith: P1.4 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P10.1 P10.2 P12 P13

Verbenaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries fairly distinct
by radially flatted and thick-walled
latewood fibers. Wood diffuse-porous.
Vessels solitary or in radial multiples of
2 to 4 or more. Vessels cell wall thick
(more than 2 μm). Mean tangential
diameter of earlywood vessels 20-50
μm, 40-100 vessels per mm2. Vessels
of two distinct diameter classes. Fibers
thin- to thick-walled. Axial parenchyma
scanty paratracheal. More than 20 rays
per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel pits
in size and shape throughout the ray
cell. Earlywood vessel element length
200-500 μm. Fibers with simple to mi-
nutely bordered pits (libriform fibers).
Rays with procumbent, squared and
upright cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Lantana camara L.

Wood basic density: 0,37 g/cm³

›T ›T

565
 Vitex agnus-castus L.
Chaste Tree, Monk’s Pepper Tree
Verbenaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous, aromatic shrub 1-3 m high.
Flowers small in rather large cymose
inflorescences; petals white, mauve or
lavender blue; fruit a globose drupe.
Native to southern Europe and the
Mediterranean region. On Cyprus it is
locally common on moist places (0-800
m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Fibers grouped. Sclereids scat-
tered or irregularly dispersed. Crystal
sand present. Phellem homogeneous,
distinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina 20-50 μm. Rays with
procumbent, square and upright cells
mixed throughout the ray.

›T

Pith
Pith shape polygonal. Cells dimorphic.
With prismatic and acicular crystals
present. Pits in transverse and in longi-
tudinal cell walls. Vascular bundles not
distinct. Tracheary elements of meta-
Vitex agnus-castus L.

xylem in distinct radial rows.

›T ›T

566
Stem xylem: 1 4 5 9 9.1 13 22 25 30 36 42 45 50.1 52.3 61 65 69 70 78 97 106 115
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B14 B18 B23 B31 B33
Pith: P1.1 P4 P6 P6.1 P9 P9.1 P10.2 P12

Verbenaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries clearly de-
marcated. Wood semi-ring- to diffuse-
porous. Vessels predominantly solitary
and in short radial multiples. Mean
tangential diameter of earlywood ves-
sel lumina 100-200 μm, 100-200 ves-
sels per mm2. Vessels of two distinct
diameter classes. Fibers thick- to very
thick-walled. Axial parenchyma scanty
paratracheal. Rays 4-12 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, small (4-7 μm in di-
ameter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct
borders, similar to intervessel pits in
size and shape throughout the ray cell.
Helical thickenings in vessel elements
present. Earlywood vessel element
length 100-200 μm. Fibers with simple
to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Septate fibers present. Body
ray cells procumbent with one row of
square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Ray width predominantly 1 to 3 cells.
Vitex agnus-castus L.

Wood basic density: 0,55 g/cm³

›T ›T

567
 Vitis vinifera L.
Grape, Common Vine
Vitaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Deciduous climber with stems up to 6
m long, distinctly swollen at the nodes.
Flowers inconspicuous, greenish; fruit
a black or reddish, fleshy, juicy berry.
It occurs in the Mediterranean coun-
tries as a cultivated species. It occurs
in Cyprus as naturalized and cultivated
plant (0-1500 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Sclerenchyma cells in phloem and in
cortex associated with rays. Fibers in
tangential rows. Prismatic crystals pre-
sent. Phellem homogeneous, distinct
in polarized light.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith shape round. Cells dimorphic.
Acicular crystals present. Pits in trans-
verse and in longitudinal cell walls.
Vascular bundles clearly separate.
Vitis vinifera L.

›T

568
Stem xylem: 1 3 9 9.1 13 20 27 32 43 47 53.2 60 61 65 69 70.3 76 78 79 96 99 103 106 107 114 124
Twig bark: B7 B12 B20 B31 B33
Pith: P1 P4 P6.1 P9 P10.1

Vitaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries distinct by
the difference in vessel size between
latewood and earlywood and by ra-
dially flatted latewood fibers. Wood
ring-porous. Earlywood vessels pre-
dominantly solitary. Latewood vessels
in radial multiples of 2 to 4 common.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessel lumina more than 200 μm,
5-20 vessels per mm2. Fibers thin- to
thick-walled. Radial flat marginal fib-
ers. Axial parenchyma diffuse, scanty
paratracheal and vasicentric. Less than
4 rays per mm.
›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits scalariform, large (more than 10
μm in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with
large horizontal or vertical apertures.
Earlywood vessel element length more
than 500 μm. Vascular and/or vasicen-
tric tracheids present. Fibers with sim-
ple to minutely bordered pits (libriform
fibers). Septate fibers present. Body ray
cells procumbent with one to 4 rows of
upright and square marginal cells.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays of two distinct sizes: uniseriate
and more than 10 seriate. Secretory
cells associated with ray parenchyma.
Vitis vinifera L.

Wood basic density: 0,40 g/cm³

›T ›T

569
 Fagonia cretica L.
Zygophyllaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Sprawling or scrambling subshrub, 20-
50 cm high, with angular twigs. Flow-
ers with pink petals; fruit a capsule.
Indigenous to Cyprus, with a limited
distribution, growing on dry slopes
with maquis or garigue vegetation,
road banks and fallow lands (0-300 m
alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube present. Some
rays become dilated. Fibers grouped in
cortex. Prismatic crystals present.

Xylem
As stem wood.

›T

Pith
Pith not visible in polarized light. Pith
shape round. Medullary sheath pre-
sent. Unlignified cells present. Pits
in transverse and in longitudinal cell
walls. Pits grouped and of two distinct
size. Vascular bundles not distinct.
Fagonia cretica L.

›T ›T

570
Stem xylem: 2.1 5 9 9.1 13 24 30 39.1 40.2 50.2 53.1 62 69 78 96 105 116.2
Twig bark: B1 B6 B14 B20
Pith: P1 P2 P3.4 P9 P9.1 P9.2 P9.3 P10.2

Zygophyllaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Only one ring in the observed sample.
Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels solitary
and in small radial groups. Vessels cell
wall thick (more than 2 μm). Mean tan-
gential diameter of earlywood vessels
20-50 μm. More than 200 vessels per
mm2. Fibers thin- to thick-walled. Axial
parenchyma scanty paratracheal. More
than 20 rays per mm.

›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Intervessel
pits minute (less than 4 μm in diame-
ter). Vessel-ray pits with distinct bor-
ders, similar to intervessel pits in size
and shape throughout the ray cell. Ear-
lywood vessel element length 200-500
μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered pits
(fiber tracheids). All ray cells upright
and square.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays exclusively uniseriate.
Fagonia cretica L.

Wood basic density: 0,52 g/cm³

›T

571
 Zygophyllum album L.f.
White Bean-Caper
Zygophyllaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION
Much branched shrub up to 2 m high,
with open crown, and fleshy twigs and
leaves. Flowers small, whitish; fruit a
capsule. Widespread in the Mediter-
ranean towards Arabia and northern
Africa. Indigenous to Cyprus, common
on rocky and sandy seashores and salt-
marshes by the coast (0 m alt.).

TWIG ANATOMY
Bark
Groups of sieve tube and collapsed
sieve tubes present. Some rays become
dilated. Sclerenchyma cells in phloem
and in cortex. Cortex consist of large
parenchyma cells. Fibers scattered or
irregularly dispersed. Crystal druses
present. Phellem homogeneous, dis-
tinct in polarized light.

Xylem
Vessels exclusively solitary. More than
20 rays per mm.

›T

Pith
Pith shape triangular. Thick-walled
parenchyma cells present. Cells di-
morphic. Crystal druses present. Pits
Zygophyllum album L.f.

in transverse and in longitudinal cell

walls. Vascular bundles clearly sepa-
rate. Axial cells in regular rows (radial
section).

›T ›T

572
Stem xylem: 1 5 9 9.1 13 22 24 30 36 40.2 45 49 52.3 62 69 76 78 86 96 97 105 109 116.1
Twig bark: B1 B4 B6 B7 B13 B22 B31 B33
Pith: P1.2 P3.3 P4 P6.2 P9 P9.1 P10.1 P10.2 P13

Zygophyllaceae
STEM ANATOMY
Transverse section
Growth ring boundaries fairly distinct
by marginal parenchyma cells. Wood
diffuse-porous. Vessels predominantly
solitary or in short radial multiples.
Mean tangential diameter of earlywood
vessels 20-50 μm, 40-100 vessels per
mm2. Vessels of two distinct diameter
classes. Fibers thin- to thick-walled.
Axial parenchyma diffuse and scanty
paratracheal. Apotracheal parenchyma
in narrow bands or lines up to three
cells wide. Rays 12-20 per mm.

›T ›T

Radial section
Simple perforation plates. Inter-vessel
pits alternate, minute (less than 4 μm
in diameter). Vessel-ray pits with dis-
tinct borders, similar to intervessel
pits in size and shape throughout the
ray cell. Helical thickenings present,
moslty in narrower vessel elements.
Earlywood vessel element length 100-
200 μm. Fibers with distinctly bordered
pits (fiber tracheids). Uniseriate ray
cells upright and square. Multiseriate
rays with procumbent, square and up-
right cells mixed throughout the ray.

›T ›T

Tangential section
Rays uniseriate to 3 cells wide.
Zygophyllum album L.f.

Wood basic density: 0,61 g/cm³

›T ›T

573
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577
List of Species and Families
Names in bold refer to families, names in italic refer to botanical names, and names in normal
type refer to synonyms.
Gymnosperms
Cedrus brevifolia.........................................64
Cedrus libani...............................................66
Cupressaceae.......................................54
Cupressus sempervirens.............................54
Juniperus excelsa........................................56
Juniperus foetidissima.................................58
Juniperus oxycedrus....................................60
Juniperus phoenicea....................................62
Pinaceae.................................................64
Pinus brutia................................................68
Pinus halepensis..........................................70
Pinus nigra..................................................72
Pinus pinea.................................................74
Taxaceae.................................................76
Taxus baccata.............................................76
Gnetales
Ephedra fragilis subsp. campylopoda..........80
Ephedra foeminea.......................................80
Ephedra nebrodensis subsp. procera..........82
Ephedraceae............................................80
Angiosperms
Acacia saligna...........................................406
Acanthoprasium integrifolium..................334
Acer obtusifolium......................................528
Acer pseudoplatanus.................................530
Achillea cretica.........................................128
Achillea maritima subsp. maritima..........130
Adoxaceae..............................................94
Aesculus hippocastanum...........................532
Ailantus altissima.....................................538
Alhagi graegorum.....................................284
Alhagi maurorum......................................286
Alnus orientalis.........................................156
Alyssum akamasicum................................172
Alyssum chondrogynum............................174
Alyssum cypricum.....................................176
Alyssum troodi..........................................178
Amaranthaceae.....................................100
Ambrosia maritima...................................132
Anacardiaceae......................................103
Anagyris foetida.......................................288
Antirrhinum majus...................................536
Apocynaceae.......................................116
Aquifoliaceae....................................120
Arabis cypria............................................180
Arabis purpurea.......................................182
Araliaceae..............................................122
Arbutus andrachne...................................268
Arbutus unedo..........................................270
Argyrolobium uniflorum...........................290
Aristolochia sempervirens.........................124
Aristolochiaceae..................................124
Artemisia arborescens..............................134
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum................208
Arundo donax.............................................88
Asclepiadaceae......................................126
Asparagaceae.........................................86
Asparagus acutifolius.................................86
Asparagus stipularis...................................87
Asperula cypria........................................506
Asteraceae...........................................128
Astragalus echinus subsp. echinus............292
Atriplex halimus.......................................210
Atriplex portulacoides...............................212
Atriplex semibaccata.................................214
Ballotta integrifolia....................................334
Berberidaceae......................................154
Berberis cretica.........................................154
579
Betulaceae..........................................156
Boraginaceae.........................................162
Bosea cypria..............................................100
Brassica hilarionis.....................................184
Brassicaceae........................................172
Buxaceae.............................................188
Buxus sempervirens..................................188
Caesalpiniaceae..................................190
Calamintha incana...................................336
Callistemon lanceolatus............................418
Calluna vulgaris........................................272
Calycotome villosa....................................294
Cannabaceae......................................192
Capparaceae........................................196
Capparis spinosa......................................196
Caprifoliaceae....................................198
Caryophyllaceae..................................202
Castanea sativa........................................312
Celtis australis..........................................192
Celtis tournefortii......................................194
Centaurea akamantis................................136
Ceratonia siliqua.......................................190
Cercis siliquastrum...................................296
Chenopodiaceae...................................208
Cichorium spinosum.................................138
Cistaceae.........................................228
Cistus creticus subsp. creticus...................228
Cistus ladanifer........................................230
Cistus monspeliensis.................................232
Cistus parviflorus......................................234
Cistus salviifolius......................................236
Citrus aurantium......................................514
Citrus limon..............................................516
Citrus sinensis...........................................518
Clematis cirrhosa......................................452
Clematis vitalba........................................454
Convolvulaceae.................................248
Convolvulus dorycnium.............................248
Convolvulus oleifolius
var. deserti................................................250
var. oleifolius.............................................252
var. pumilus..............................................254
580
Cornaceae..........................................256
Cornus sanguinea.....................................256
Cornilla emerus subsp. emeroides..............304
Corylus avellana........................................158
Cotinus coggyria.......................................102
Cotoneaster nummularius.........................466
Crataegus azarolus...................................468
Crataegus monogyna................................470
Crataegus x sinaica...................................472
Cydonia oblonga.......................................474
Cyprinia gracilis........................................126
Dianthus cyprius.......................................202
Diospiros kaki...........................................264
Dipsacaceae........................................258
Dittrichia viscosa subsp. angustifolia.......140
Dodonaea viscosa......................................534
Ebenaceae..........................................264
Echium angustifolium................................162
Elaeagnaceae......................................266
Elaeagnus angustifolia..............................266
Erica arborea............................................274
Erica sicula subsp. libanotica....................276
Ericaceae...........................................268
Erysimum kykkoticum...............................186
Eucalyptus camaldulensis..........................420
Eucalyptus gomphocephala.......................422
Eucalyptus torquata..................................424
Euphorbia hierosolymitana........................278
Euphorbia thompsonii...............................280
Euphorbiaceae....................................278
Fabaceae............................................284
Fagaceae.............................................312
Fagonia cretica..........................................570
Fagus orientalis.........................................314
Ficus carica...............................................410
Ficus sycomorus........................................412
Frankenia hirsuta......................................326
Frankeniaceae....................................326
Fraxinus angustifolia.................................430
Fraxinus ornus..........................................432
Fumana arabica........................................238
Fumana thymifolia....................................240
Genista fasselata.......................................298
Glycyrrhiza glabra....................................300
Graminceae.........................................88
Halimione portulacoildes..........................212
Halocnemum strobilaceum........................216
Hedera helix..............................................122
Hedera helix subsp. poetaurm....................122
Hedisarum cyprium..................................302
Helianthemum obtusifolium......................242
Heliantemum stipularum..........................244
Heliantemum syriacum.............................246
Helichrysum conglobatum
subsp. conglobatum..................................144
Helichrysum italicum................................142
Helichrysum stoaecas subsp. barrelieri.....144
Hippocrepis emerus subsp. emeroides.......304
Hirtellinia lobelii........................................146
Hypericum confertum subsp. stenobotrys..328
Hypericum hyrcinum.................................330
Hypericaceae........................................328
Ilex aquifolium..........................................120
Inula crithmoides......................................148
Inula viscosa.............................................140
Juglandaceae......................................332
Juglans regia............................................332
Lamiaceae........................................334
Lantana camara........................................564
Lauraceae..............................................400
Laurus nobilis...........................................400
Lavandula angustifolia.............................338
Lavandula stoechas...................................340
Lavatera bryoniifolia..................................404
Limbarda crithmoides subsp. longifolia......148
Lithodora hispidula subsp. versicolor........164
Lomelosia cyprica.....................................258
Lonicera etrusca.......................................198
Lonicera japonica......................................200
Lycium ferocissimum................................540
Lycium schweinfurthii...............................542
Lythraceae..........................................402
Malva unguiculata....................................404
Malvaceae............................................404
Melaleuca almillaris..................................426
Micromeria chionistrae.............................342
Micromeria cypria.....................................344
Micromeria microphylla............................344
Micromeria myrtifolia...............................346
Micromeria nervosa..................................348
Mimosaceae........................................408
Moraceae..............................................410
Morus alba................................................414
Morus nigra..............................................416
Myrtaceae............................................418
Myrtus communis.....................................428
Nepeta troodi............................................350
Nerium oleander.......................................116
Nicotiana glauca.......................................544
Noaea mucronata.....................................218
Odontites cypria........................................440
Odontites linkii subsp. cyprius...................440
Olea europaea..........................................434
Oleaceae.............................................430
Ononis spinosa subsp. leiosperma.............306
Onosma caepistosa...................................166
Onosma fruticosa.....................................168
Onosma mitis............................................170
Origanum cordifolium...............................352
Origanum dubium....................................354
Origanum majorana var. tenuifolium.......356
Orobanchaceae..................................440
Ostrya carpinifolia....................................160
Otanthus maritimus subsp. maritimus.......130
Phagnalon rupestre subps. rupestre..........150
Phillyrea latifolia.......................................436
Phlomis brevibracteata.............................358
Phlomis cypria subsp. cypria....................360
Phlomis cypria subsp. occidentalis............362
Phlomis lunariifolia...................................364
Phragmites australis...................................89
Phytolaccaceae....................................442
Phytolacca pruinosa..................................442
Pistacia atlantica......................................104
Pistacia lentiscus......................................106
Pistacia terebinthus..................................108
581
Platanaceae.........................................444
Platanus orientalis....................................444
Plocama calabrica.....................................508
Plumbaginaceae.................................446
Plumbago auriculata.................................446
Plumbago europaea..................................448
Polygonaceae.....................................450
Polygonum equisetiforme..........................450
Populus alba.............................................522
Populus nigra............................................524
Prasium majus..........................................366
Prosopis farcta..........................................408
Prunus armeniaca.....................................476
Prunus avium............................................478
Prunus domestica......................................480
Prunus dulcis............................................482
Pterocephalus multiflorus
subsp. multiflorus.....................................260
subsp. obtusifolius....................................262
Ptilostemon chamaepeuce
subsp. cyprius...........................................152
var. cyprius...............................................152
Punica granatum......................................402
Putoria calabrica.......................................508
Pyracantha coccinea.................................484
Pyrus communis........................................486
Pyrus malus..............................................488
Pyrus syriaca............................................490
Quercus alnifolia.......................................316
Quercus cerris...........................................318
Quercus coccifera var. calliprionos............320
Quercus ilex..............................................322
Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris.............324
Ranunculaceae...............................452
Rhamnaceae.....................................456
Rhamnus alaternus...................................456
Rhamnus lycioides subsp. graeca..............458
Rhamnus oleoides subsp. graecus.............458
Rhus coriaria............................................110
Ricinus communis.....................................282
Robinia pseudoacacia................................308
Rosa canina.............................................492
582
Rosa damascena.......................................494
Rosa micrantha subsp. chionistrae...........496
Rosaceae.............................................466
Rosmarinus officinalis...............................368
Rubia laurae.............................................510
Rubia tenuifolia.........................................510
Rubiaceae............................................506
Rubus discolor...........................................498
Rubus sanctus...........................................500
Ruscaceae.............................................90
Ruscus aculeatus.........................................90
Ruta chalepensis.......................................520
Rutaceae...........................................514
Salicaceae...........................................522
Salicornia fruticosa...................................220
Salix alba..................................................526
Salvia dominica.........................................370
Salvia fruticosa.........................................372
Salvia lanigera..........................................374
Salvia willeana..........................................376
Sambucus nigra..........................................94
Sapindaceae..........................................528
Sarcocornia perennis.................................222
Sarcopoterium spinosum...........................502
Satureja thymbra......................................378
Scabiosa cyprica........................................258
Schinus molle............................................112
Schinus terebeinthifolia.............................114
Scrophulariaceae..................................536
Scutellaria sibthorpii.................................380
Sideritis cypria..........................................382
Silene fruticosa..........................................204
Silene galataea..........................................206
Simarubaceae..................................538
Smilaceae............................................91
Smilax aspera.............................................91
Solanaceae.............................................540
Sorbus aria subsp. cretica..........................504
Sorbus cretica...........................................504
Spartium junceum.....................................310
Staehelina lobelii.......................................146
Styracaceae........................................548
Styrax officinalis.......................................548
Suaeda aegyptiaca....................................224
Suaeda vera..............................................226
Syringa vulgaris........................................438
Tamaricaceae.....................................550
Tamarix dalmatica....................................550
Tamarix smyrnensis..................................552
Tamarix tetragyna....................................554
Tamarix tetrandra....................................556
Teucrium creticum....................................384
Teucrium cyprium.....................................386
Teucrium divaricatum subsp. canescens...388
Teucrium kotschyanum.............................390
Teucrium kyreniae....................................392
Teucrium micropodioides..........................394
Thymbra capitata.....................................396
Thymelaea hirsuta....................................558
Thymelaea tartonraira subsp. argentea....560
Thymelaeaceae...................................558
Thymus capitatus......................................396
Thymus integer.........................................398
Ulmaceae...........................................562
Ulmus canescens.......................................562
Verbenaceae........................................564
Viburnum opulus........................................96
Viburnum tinus subsp. tinus........................98
Vinca major..............................................118
Vitaceae...............................................568
Vitex agnus-castus....................................566
Vitis vinifera.............................................568
Withania somnifera...................................546
Ziziphus lotus............................................460
Ziziphus spina-christi................................462
Ziziphus ziziphus.......................................464
Zygophyllaceae..................................570
Zygophyllum album...................................572

583