CELL LENGTH AND RATE OF ANTICLINAL DIVISION IN THE CAMBIUM OF THE SEQUOIAS

Abstract

This report deals with the frequency of anticlinal (multiplicative) divisions in fusiform cambial cells, cell length at the time of division, and ring width as determined mostly in Sequoia sempervirens. The general relationships between these anatomical features resembled those observed in other conifers, but the frequency of anticlinal division was relatively high and the cells were long. Accordingly, the rate of cambial cell lengthening in the repetitive cycle of anticlinal division and cell elongation was found to exceed that in other conifers. Upward in the lower part of the stem the rate of anticlinal division decreased and cell length increased. A comparatively high rate of anticlinal division was maintained in the peripheral growth of large boles in both species, but cell length was greater in S. sempervirens than in S. gigantea.