Save

Cross-sectioning to the core of conifers: pith anatomy of living Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae, with comparisons to fossil pith

In: IAWA Journal
Authors:
Kelly C. Shunn Institute of Geosciences, Division of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany

Search for other papers by Kelly C. Shunn in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1907-0487
and
Carole T. Gee Institute of Geosciences, Division of Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Orlando Road, San Marino, CA 91108, USA

Search for other papers by Carole T. Gee in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5926-2556
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00

Summary

Pith in woody species fulfills essential roles, from functioning as the first vascular tissue in shoots, to serving as starch storage and facilitating heartwood formation. While the spongy cells of pith may die and be reabsorbed at maturity by some species, the pith persists throughout the lifespan of conifer trees. Pith features and functions of extant conifers have been documented in contemporary studies, and pith anatomy has been described for extinct progymnosperms and coniferous ancestors through fossils. However, up to now, few studies have described the wood anatomy of pith in living conifers and covered only 24 species in four families. Here we describe the pith of 7 genera and 16 species from the previously unstudied conifer families of Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae, based on stained and unstained cross-sections. Comparisons between pith sections of the same tree in successive years yielded insights into maturation of the conifer pith. Conservative pith characteristics were identified among genera and families. Araucariaceae pith is dissimilar on a familial level, but the genus Araucaria is unified by pith shape and heterocellularity. In contrast, all Podocarpaceae piths develop secondary cracks, and most species have irregularly shaped piths. Beyond our study of similarities and differences of pith in Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae, a look at pith patterns in the paleobotanical record and further examples in living conifers could increase the understanding of conserved characteristics and pith evolution.

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 686 347 53
Full Text Views 162 17 2
PDF Views & Downloads 282 72 4