Comparative Anatomy of Six Indigenons Leguminosae-Papilionoideae in Thailand

Abstract

The family Leguminosae distributed throughout Thailand. Some tree species can grow in drought tolerance, wide ranges of soils. Many species are valuable timber. This study focus on the anatomical characters of 6 indigenous tree species in Subfamily Papilionoideae such as, Dalbergia cultrata Graham ex Benth., Dalbergia nigrescens Kurz, Millettia brandisiana Kurz, Millettia leucantha var. buteoides Kurz, Pterocarpus indicus Willd. and Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz that collected from Nakhon Ratchasima, Sa Kaeo and Chon Buri provinces. The woods were cut by sliding microtome and maceration techniques. The wood specimens were examined under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The dominant anatomical characteristics of them showed the color of heartwood is reddish-brown to purplish-brown. Wood surface is rather luster. Vessels diffuse with solitary and multiple of 2-3 types except P. indicus. Intervessel pits arrange alternately except M. leucantha. Axial parenchyma appear in paratracheal, bands, aliform, wing-aliform and vasicentric types. Prismatic crystals present in strand parenchyma chambered. The thickness of fiber wall is 5.3-3.5. μm. Rays are uniseriate and 1-3 rows. Ripple marks distinct except P. indicus. As the result, 2 timbers of D. cultrata and M. brandisiana are suitable for hard construction while M. leucantha, D. nigrescens and P. macrocarpus are suitable for interior decoration and furniture compartments. P. indicus wood can apply as wood substitute materials.