Wood Anatomical Variation of Acacia Melanoxylon in Relation to Latitude

Abstract

The wood anatomy of Acacia melanoxylon samples from various locations in eastern Australia was examined and a number of characteristics were found to be significantly related to latitude. Vessel member length, proportion of fibres and proportion of multiseriate rays were positively related to latitude. Vessel frequency, vessel diameter and the abundance of crystals were negatively related to latitude as were the proportion of: uniseriate rays, vessels and axial parenchyma. Total proportion of ray tissue and basic density was not found to be associated with latitude. Anatomical features associated with lower transpirational demand appeared to be correlated with the cooler, more xeric environmental conditions accompanying increasing latitude.