Wood anatomical correlates with theoretical conductivity and wood density across China: evolutionary evidence of the functional differentiation of axial and radial parenchyma

Abstract

The findings suggest that parenchyma types may differ in function. The functional axes represented by different cell types were conserved across lineages, suggesting a significant role in the ecological strategies of the angiosperms.

The Parenchyma of Secondary Xylem and Its Critical Role in Tree Defense against Fungal Decay in Relation to the CODIT Model

“…Hence, how RAP fractions and spatial arrangements play a role in tree longevity is unclear. Wood containing more RP tends to be denser, while wood with more AP tends to be less dense, and these opposite trends result in an overall relationship between total RAP and wood density that is fairly weak (Taylor, 1969; Martínez-Cabrera et al, 2009; Poorter et al, 2010; Zheng and Martínez-Cabrera, 2013). Some tropical fast growing and short-lived pioneers of the tropics such as Cecropia sp., Ceiba pentandra and Ochroma pyramidale have very high RAP fractions, with the latter having RAP upward of 90% (Wagenführ, 2007).…”

“…Similarly, the physiological and structural implications of the huge range of anatomical diversity between species represent a significant gap in our understanding of plant function. Where recent work has made some strides toward revealing the functional significance regarding the amount of AP in woody plants (Martínez-Cabrera et al, 2009; Zheng and Martínez-Cabrera, 2013; Ziemińska et al, 2013, 2015; Morris et al, 2016), very little is known about their spatial arrangements (Morris and Jansen, 2016). Conversely, much is understood about their role in storage and transport of assimilates (Evert and Eichhorn, 2006; Plavcová et al, 2016).…”

Influence of xylem ray integrity and degree of polymerization on bending strength of beech wood decayed by Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor

“…When the rays are decomposed, the remaining structure is stiff and resists bending, but breaks under insignificant loading (Mattheck and Kubler, 1997). The contribution of rays in the mechanical stability of woods is even greater in species with larger rays like plane (Platanus) and beech (Fagus) (Mattheck and Kubler, 1997;Zheng and Martínez-Cabrera, 2013). Generally, all species with broad rays like beech and oak wood can be considered as anti-shock (Mattheck and Kubler, 1997).…”

“…The contribution of ray cells to some mechanical properties like radial stiffness has already been shown (Burgert et al, 2001). High fractions of ray cells in hardwoods appears to contribute to stem mechanical stability (Fonti and Frey, 2002;Zheng and Martínez-Cabrera, 2013). However, the role of rays in relation to mechanical behavior of decayed wood has not been studied in detail (e.g.…”

Functional Traits and Water Transport Strategies in Lowland Tropical Rainforest Trees

“…However, the universality of this relationship is in question as even within a single biome, for example, rainforests, trees exhibit a wide range of wood densities [20, 21]. Rather, differences in wood density may relate more to adjustments in vessel characteristics such as vessel cross-sectional size, density and fractions (i.e.…”