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The morphological variability of the bordered pit membranes in gymnosperms

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Summary

The membranes of bordered pits were investigated in 120 species of 47 genera of the gymnospermous families, using light and electron microscopic techniques. A great variability in the morphological structure of the pit membranes has been established. The differences in structure are pronounced and depend mainly on the genus involved.

A classification of six morphological “structure types” is presented. They do not necessarily correspond with the chemical composition and the functional behaviour. The results on the variability of the pit membrane have shown the necessity of an extended definition for the torus.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. A. J. Stamm on the occasion of his 75 th birthday.

Gratitude is expressed to Prof. Dr. R. W. Kennedy and Dr. R. W. Meyer, Forest Products Laboratory, Vancouver, B. C., Prof. R. D. Graham, Prof. Dr. D. Hermann and Prof. Dr. R. Krahmer, School of Forestry, Corvallis, Oregon, and Prof. Dr. V. La Marche, University of Arizona, Tucson, for their support in obtaining wood samples. Thanks are also due to Mrs. H. Berndt for her careful technical assistance.

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Bauch, J., Liese, W. & Schultze, R. The morphological variability of the bordered pit membranes in gymnosperms. Wood Science and Technology 6, 165–184 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351575

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