Wood Microstructure, Ultrastructure and Systematic Study of Indian Terminalia

The genus Terminalia L. is of great forestry and economic importance, as it includes a number of valuable timbers, gum and tannin yielding species. It comprises of 250 species distributed throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. In India, the genus is represented by 18 species. In this paper a detailed microscopic wood anatomical survey of the 15 species of this genus is presented based on the standard list of features given by International association of Wood Anatomists (lAWA). Numeric key based on IAWA features and species identification key has been developed based on the study. Photomicrographs have been added of microstructure and ultra structure features as seen under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Remarks on systematic positions of species have been presented specially with regards to T. tomentosa and T. chebula group.