WOOD ANATOMY OF DROSOPHYLLUM (DROSERACEAE) - ECOLOGICAL AND PHYLOGENETIC CONSIDERATIONS

Drosophyllum lusitanicum, the sole woody species of Droseraceae, has w ood anatomical features very much like those of Dioncophyllaceae and N epenthaceae. Features in common include vessel elements with simple pe rforation plates, fibriform vessel elements, tracheids with large full y bordered pits, diffuse (plus variously grouped) axial parenchyma, an d paedomorphic rays 1-2 cells wide. Wood anatomy thus validates the cl ose relationships claimed among Drosophyllum, Dioncophyllaceae, and Ne penthaceae on the basis of recent DNA studies. Wood anatomy of Drosoph yllum is xeromorphic, in accord with the dry habitats of the species.