Wood Anatomy of the Rosaceae

摘要

The Rosaceae are a large and diverse family of trees, shrubs and herbs mainly from temperature to subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Usually four subfamilies are recognized: the Spiraeoideae, Rosoideae, Maloideae, and Prunoideae. At a lower taxonomic level Hutchinson recognized 18 tribes. Almost 80% of c. 102 genera (over 2750 species) in the family are woody. The Rosaceae are well-known for their important fruit species, ornamental species, timber trees and as a source of medicinal compounds. The classification of the Rosaceae at the subfamily and generic level, and their relationships have long been a matter of debate. Although many studies addressed these problems from different angles (e.g., macromorphological, cytological and phytochemical), no comprehensive study of the wood anatomy of the whole family has been made before. A wood anatomical contribution to phylogenetic classification of the Rosaceae is one of the aims of the present study. An evaluation of the ecological trends in the family is another one. In combination, these aims should increase the understanding of the evolutionary history of the family.