Introduction

Abstract

Every anatomical atlas covers a defined group of plants or a specific region. The idea of producing this reference book arose from the lack of an extensive description of the wood structure of trees and shrubs indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean, and the continuing demand for wood identification in that region (Lev-Yadun 2008). The primary aim of this atlas is to present the range of anatomical features occurring in lignified plants from the Eastern Mediterranean, in order to facilitate plant material identification. Secondly, it is intended to create a basis for ecological anatomy, comparative ecophyletic and archaeological studies. Here we present a wide range of taxonomically important anatomical features occurring in plants from Cyprus, including various habits from trees, shrubs, dwarf shrubs to some perennial herbs and woody lianas. Anatomical features of stem xylem, twig bark and pith have been described for 264 species (12 Gymnosperms, 2 Gnetales, 6 Angiosperms Monocotyledons and 244 Angiosperms Dicotyledons) belonging to 69 families.