Wood anatomy of Wilkesia (Asteraceae) with relation to systematics, organography, and habit

Wood anatomy of root, base, and mid-level stems of Wilkesia gymnoxiphium is compared with wood of lower stem and root-stem transition of W. hobdyi Woo d of W. hobdyi is xeromorphic, Like that of the base of W. gymnoxiphium and has no unique features not also observable in W. gymnoxiphium. Differences among quantitative wood features of collections and portions studied are t abulated. Fiber dimorphism is evident in extensive alternating tangential b ands in wood of midlevel stems of wild-occurring W. gymnoxiphium, and in sh ort tangential bands in all other collections and portions. Wood of Wilkesi a is not as xeromorphic as that of Argyroxiphium, and is like that of sever al species of Dubautia; recent cladograms that show Wilkesia as a sister gr oup to Dubautia are thus supported.