Wood Anatomy of Tetraena mongolica Maxim. (Zygophyllaceae)
四合木属四合木(蒺藜科)的木材解剖学研究

The wood anatomical characters of Tetraena mongolica Maxim. were observed under light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the vessel elements were short, narrow, dense, with thick wall, simple perforation plate and horizontal end walls. Intervessel pits were opposite or alternate bordered pits. Libriform fibers were short and their wall was thick and scattered with a few simple pits. Ray cells were procumbent exclusively uniseriate and very dense. The axial parenchyma tissue was diffused or paratracheal. These suggested that the anatomical characters of secondary xylem of Tetraena mongolica Maxim. were adapted to the arid environment.