Anatomy of five wood species marketed as 'Sucupira'

In this study, we describe the comparative anatomical analysis of the following wood species: Bowdichia nitida Spruce ex Benth, Diplotropis brasiliensis (Tul.) Benth., Diplotropis martiusii Benth., Diplotropis purpurea (Rich.) Amshoff, and Diplotropis racemosa (Hoehne) Amshoff. The aim was to determine the main anatomical characteristics to distinguish between these wood species. Qualitative analysis showed that the most important anatomical characteristics for the differentiation of these wood species were growth rings, stratification rays, arrangement of vases, and row marginal rays. Quantitative statistical analysis showed that the major anatomical parameters in the clustering of species were diameter of vessel elements, length of rays in micrometers, length, wall thickness, and width of fibers. We verified that wood anatomy can be of great importance in identifying the species studied.

wood anatomy; 'Sucupira'; timber trade