In order to evaluate the variation of the cellular elements of Astronium lecointei Ducke from the pith towards the vascular cambium, wood samples from three regions of the radial sense in the tree at 1.30 m above the groundwere analyzed: 0% (near to the pith), 50% (intermediate region) and 100% (near to the vascular cambium). The methodology applied in the work was the one traditionally recommended for studies in wood anatomy, following the guidance of the IAWA Committee. It was possible to observe that some anatomical elements showed well-defined, statistically significant variation trends: frequency, diameter and length of the vessel elements, length of rays in microns, and fiber length. There was also greater pore blockage by tyloses close to the pith and in the intermediate region. The tendency to stabilize the values of these structures may indicate the formation of adult wood as from the intermediate region analyzed in the wood of Astronium lecointei Ducke.
Astronium lecointei; cellular elements of wood; radial variation