Unidirectional splitting and uniting of rays in the cambium of Platanus accompanying the formation of interlocked grain in wood

Abstract

Developmental changes in the cambium producing interlocked grain wood of <i>Platanus</i>, were determined by an analysis of successive late xylem layers (TLX) at the borders of the annual rings. Intensive splitting and uniting of rays were observed. These occured by intrusion of fusiform cells into the rays and by loss of the fusiform initials which formed the strands separating the rays, respectively. Uniting of rays was unidirectional within the large areas of cambium (domain), so was the splitting, too. There were domains of Z and S-type. Orientation of splitting and uniting of rays at a particular locality of the cambium was reversed at irregular time intervals. It appears that the reason for these reversals was slow movement of domain pattern. The occurrence of alternating Z and S domains brought about the alternation of the grain inclination from right to left and back again in the interlocked-grained wood.