Dear Emilie,
Have you looked at Pseudotsuga? It has abrupt transition, resin canals, helical thickenings, small pitting and multiseriate rays - can't remember the other characteristics off-hand, but I think it's similar to your description.
May I also suggest that you post your query to the Wood-Charcoal forum as well? Someone there may be able to offer insights. Contact me off list if you'd like me to subscribe you.
Best wishes
Dana
Dana Challinor, MA (Oxon), MSc
Freelance Archaeobotanist: Wood and Charcoal
----- Original Message -----
From: "Emilie Dotte" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, 28 April, 2015 3:52:16 PM
Subject: conifers wood anatomy?
Dear all,
I am writing to request help on identifying conifer taxa(on?) from anthracological samples of French Polynesia.
I have very limited experience with conifer wood anatomy since I have worked mainly in New Caledonia and French Polynesia where there are no to limited conifer species (mainly Araucariaceae and some Cupressaceae in New Cal).
The only conifer species known in FP are Pinus spp introduced in the 20th, mainly Pinus carribea, and from what I have found, the 3 little fragments I have (in 2 different assemblages) do not seem to correspond to this taxon.
If anyone could maybe give me a hint towards a family or genus to investigate from the (limited?) description I have below, I would be very grateful. I also have a number of images to send to anyone who think they can help me!!
Porosity: Abrupt change in tracheid diameter
Axial and Radial canals present
Uniseriate rounded bordered pits, large to medium
Helical thickenings in all tracheids - tending to horizontal orientation
Rays uniseriate 3-5 to 10-20 cells high, some biseriate ones and some bi-triseriate with radial canals, heterogenous
Vessel-rays crossing: 2-4 pits, piceoid to cupressoid, small; dentate walls
Many thanks!
Dr Emilie Dotte-Sarout
Postdoctoral Fellow
ARC Laureate Project
The Collective Biography of Archaeology in the Pacific – A Hidden History
School of Archaeology and Anthropology,
The Australian National University
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Honorary Research Fellow
Archaeology, School of Social and Cultural Studies,
The University of Western Australia
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________________________________________
I am just writing to you because I am looking for some advice on trying to ID some conifer charcoal - something I am not used to...
I have found just 3 fragments of conifers in some of my assemblages from french Polynesia, in late but apprently pre-european levels. There are no conifers known from French Polynesia before european intorduction of Pinus carribea, in the 20th century.
I am just wondering if these could be dirft wood from the american coast but I have very limited experience with conifers - do you think you might help to direct me toward a family????
I copy the very brief description here and can send you some pictures if you think you can help!
I will also send the call to the archaeobota mailing list!!
Many thanks!
PS: since my last emails, I have applied to a few jobs around and have actually been offered a post-doc (5 years!!!!!!) to work at the ANU on an ARC Laureate project led by Matthew Spriggs - on Pacific Archaeology (yay!) but not on anthracology (can't have everything!...) I still leave in perth though, and still work on my remaining anthraco projects....
All the best
Emilie
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