Upward movement of the domain pattern in the cambium producing wavy grain in Picea excelsa

Abstract

The cambium which produces wavy-grained xylem in spruce differs from normal cambium by a higher frequency of oblique anticlinal divisions and a higher rate of intrusive growth of fusiform initials. Since the orientation, either to the left or to the right, of the divisions and the overlaps achieved by the growting tips is uniform within the areas called domains, the domain pattern of the cambium is reflected in the pattern of grain undulations in the xy1em. The domain pattern moves longitudinally about 0.7 mm during the production of l mm of xylem. A visible expression of the movement is the obliquity of undulation lines on the radial face of the wavy xylem.