THE CAMBIUM AND SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHLOEM IN ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA

Abstract

The cambium in black locust consists of several layers of cells at all times. Cambial reactivation (division) is preceded by a decrease in density of cambial cell protoplasts and cell wall thickening but not by cell enlargement. During the resumption of cambial activity, periclinal divisions occur throughout the cambial zone. Early divisions contribute largely to the phloem side. The period of greatest cambial activity coincides with early wood formation. Judged by numerous collections made during two seasons (October, 1960‐October, 1962) the seasonal cycle of phloem development is as follows. Phloem differentiation begins in early April, ends in late September. The amount of phloem produced is quite variable (range: 1‐10 bands of sieve elements per year). Cessation of function begins with the accumulation of definitive callose in the first‐formed sieve elements and spreads to those more recently formed. By late November all but the last‐formed sieve elements are collapsed. All sieve elements are collapsed by mid‐winter and before the resumption of new phloem production in spring. Phloem differentiation precedes xylem differentiation by at least 1 week, and apparently functional sieve elements are present 3 weeks before new functional vessel elements. Xylem and phloem production ends simultaneously in most trees.