Atlas of Stem Anatomy in Herbs, Shrubs and Trees

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This work, published in two volumes, describes the wood and bark anatomies of 3000 dicotyledonous plants across 120 families, showcasing the anatomical and phylogenetic diversity of these plants in the Northern Hemisphere. The first volume focuses on Early Angiosperms, Eudicots, Core Eudicots, and Rosids, while the second volume emphasizes Asterids. Volume 2 includes microsections of xylem and phloem from 1000 species across approximately 35 families, representing various life forms in the temperate zone, from lowland Mediterranean coasts to alpine regions in Western Europe. Notably, the diverse family of Asteraceae receives special attention. The global scope is highlighted by the analysis of 400 species from regions including the Caucasus, Rocky Mountains, Andes, Canary Islands, Sahara, Eurasia, Arabia, Southwest North America, New Zealand, and boreal and arctic zones in Eurasia and Canada. The presence of annual rings in all life forms illustrates that herbs and dwarf shrubs are valuable for reconstructing annual biomass production and understanding interannual dynamics of plant associations. The common principle of secondary growth anatomy is crucial for grasping evolution and adaptation across life forms, from the 3 cm tall Crepis pygmaea in alpine zones to the 40 m tall Fraxinus excelsior in Central European riparian forests. This study paves the way for extensive research in dendrochronology, wood anatomy, taxonomy, and