ANATOMY OF THE SECONDARY XYLEM OF Mimosa pilulifera Benth.

The present work shows the first accurate description of the secondary xylem of Mimosa pilulifera Benth. Some measurements of 30 anatomical features of the wood and photomicrographs of the tree anatomical sections are presented. The wood anatomy of Mimosa pilulifera shows a high level of phylogenetic specialization and embodies many features that denotes its position in Family Leguminosae, sub-famíly Mimosoideae, series Lepidotae Benth. and genus Mimosa L.

Key words:
Wood Anatomy; Family Leguminosae; Sub-family Mimosoideae; Series Lepidotae; Mimosa pilulifera