Abstract

LEON H, Williams J.. Anatomía de la madera de siete especies del género terminalia l. En Venezuela. Ernstia [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.1, pp.35-53. ISSN 0252-8274.

The wood anatomy of seven species of Terminalia (Combretaceae) is described according IAWA list for hardwood identification. The studied species were T. amazonia, T. catappa, T. guyanensis, T. oblonga, T. obovata, T. quintalata and T. yapacana. The wood anatomy is very similar among the different species of Terminalia and one of the most important features for identification is related with crystals; their presence or absence, localization and crystal type. T. amazonia and T. obovata are not similar in localization and abundance of crystals and for this reason, we did not include T. obovata as a synonym of T. amazonia. Only in T. quintalata and T. yapacana, were crystals absent, and the main feature for differentiation it is related to septate fibres: present in T.yapacana and absent in T. quintalata.

Keywords : Wood; anatomy; Terminalia; Combretaceae; crystals.