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.