Comparative palynology and wood anatomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxodium distichum</Emphasis> (L.) Rich. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxodium mucronatum</Emphasis> Ten.

A comparative study of Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. and Taxodium mucronatum Ten. was carried out on the basis of pollen morphology and wood anatomy by light and scanning electron microscopy. We describe a detailed analysis of the anatomical characteristics of the wood, including the tracheids, ray parenchyma, axial parenchyma and number of cross-field pits. Palynological characters were also studied to reveal the shape, size and ultrastructure of the pollen grains. These studies give taxonomic support for the recognition of T. distichum and T. mucronatum as two different species.