Alan Crivellaro Boeken

This atlas offers anatomical descriptions of 19 Dalbergia and 31 Diospyros species, most of them endemic to Madagascar. Each species is illustrated with color micrographs of double-stained sections through the xylem, bark, and pith of stems, branches, and twigs. Further, a photograph of each plant and information on its height, DBH, habit, and geographical and elevational distribution in Madagascar are included. Dalbergia and Diospyros species provide highly-priced woods, which are intensively traded across the world and therefore highly endangered by illegal trade and harvesting. This book represents a response to the action plan for Diospyros and Dalbergia species regarding the establishment of a reference collection and reliable identification system for species listed by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Bringing together a wealth of material recently collected in different biogeographical regions of Madagascar and identified by the Missouri Botanical Garden, the book will appeal to plant scientists, taxonomists and practitioners involved in wood identification, and will help to safeguard the legacy of precious wood trading through proper identification. 

This atlas provides anatomical descriptions of the xylem, bark, and pith for 264 species across 71 families, showcasing the anatomical diversity of trees, shrubs, dwarf shrubs, woody lianas, and notable perennial herbs from the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly Cyprus. The island's varied topography and biogeographic history contribute to a rich array of habitats and flora, featuring widespread, endemic, and ornamental species. Each species entry includes detailed descriptions of the anatomical structures of the stem and twig xylem, along with the twig's bark and pith, complemented by color micrographs of double-stained sections. Additionally, each entry features a photograph and a brief overview of the plant, covering aspects such as stem wood density, height, habit, and characteristics of flowers, leaves, and fruits, alongside a map of its geographic and altitudinal distribution. Xylem descriptions adhere to IAWA lists for hardwood and softwood identification, while a new coding system is utilized for bark and pith. The atlas also includes a key for wood identification, designed to distinguish between species groups using a limited number of clear, visible features. This resource will serve as an essential guide for botanists, ecologists, foresters, archaeologists, horticulturists, and paleobotanists.