Bark and Cambial Variation in the Genus Clematis (Ranunculaceae) in Taiwan

Abstract BackgroundStudies on the anatomical characteristics of stems of Taiwanese species from the Clematis genus (Ranunculaceae) are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare cambial variation in stems of 22 Clematis species. ResultsThe rhytidome (outer bark) was either cogwheel-like or continuous, except for in the species Clematis tashiroi. Key features of the genus were eccentric to elliptical or polygonous-lobed stems, wedge-like phloem, wedge-like rays, indentations in the axial parenchyma, and ray dilatation. The cortical sclerenchyma fibers were embedded in the phloem rays with approximately 23% of the Clematis species. Both C. psilandra and C. tsugetorum had restricted vessels. There were three vascular bundle patterns, with approximately 27% of the Clematis species in Taiwan having 12 vascular bundles. The vessels dispersed throughout the stem were semi-ring-porous in most species, but were ring-porous in others. No species had diffuse-porous vessels. Only two species had a primary xylem ring located around the pith. Secondary xylem rays split the secondary xylem into parts, increasing stem diameter. The developmental stage of each sample was determined, with the initial ring-like periderm being produced in the primary phloem during the second stage. ConclusionsThe cambial variations described in this study provide a foundation for further morphological studies of the Clematis genus.