Comparative Wood Anatomy

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Focusing on the application of wood characteristics in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, the book explores how these features can aid in understanding relationships among species, genera, and families. It emphasizes the importance of caution when interpreting similarities, as many wood traits have evolved independently across unrelated groups. The text highlights the use of cladistic analysis to assess wood data and establish evolutionary relationships, demonstrating that certain wood structures, like storied wood, may not indicate close relationships without further phylogenetic context.