Carlquist’s growth ring classification: a functional approach that reinforces porous and annual rings

Summary There is no doubt that Carlquist one of the greatest contemporary wood anatomists. Every student or researcher in field likely to have read at least his numerous works, and it difficult find a topic anatomy does not lead publications. Among many topics addressed by are course growth rings, oldest most exciting anatomy. established functional classification for rings based on anatomical variation, addition an interpretation different markers “as ecologically adaptive devices.” In this article, I return Carlquist’s first summarize main changes later reviews. highlight advances provided unprecedented approach while also criticizing proposed ring classification, which reinforces partial view, although dominant until present day, focused temperate species: mostly well marked, porous semi-porous, with annual periodicity.