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Platanus orientalis L.; P. occidentalis L.
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Oriental Planetree; Planetree, Sycamore
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Platanaceae
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Transversal section |
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Diffuse- to semi-ring-porous. Very numerous pores, earlywood pores generally in clusters, latewood pores solitary or in small, irregular groups. Growth ring boundaries distinct, marked by a few rows of radially flattened cells, rays flare along the growth ring boundaries. Diffuse apotracheal parenchyma. |
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Radial section |
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Simple and scalariform perforation plates with variable numbers of bars and variable spacing. Rays mostly homogeneous, rare with one row of square marginal cells. Occasionally prismatic crystals in procumbent ray cells present. Vessel pits in horizontal, opposite rows. Mainly fibre-tracheids, transitions to libriform fibres also present. |
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Tangential section |
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Large rays, average width 4 to 10 cells, often more than 2mm high. |
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Key characters |
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Diffuse- to semi-ring-porous. Many wide rays which flare at the growth ring boundaries. Simple and scalariform perforation plates. Vessel pits opposite, in horizontal rows. |
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Remarks |
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The wood of these two species cannot be differentiated on the basis of anatomic characteristics. P. orientalis grows in southeastern Europe and in Asia Minor. P. occidentalis was introduced from the U.S.A. to Europe in the 17th century. |
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