Diffuseporous

Diffuseporous, also written diffuse-porous, is a term used in wood anatomy to describe a porosity pattern in the secondary xylem of many angiosperm trees and shrubs. In diffuse-porous wood, the vessel elements are distributed relatively evenly throughout the growth ring, and the vessels are similar in size in earlywood and latewood. This contrasts with ring-porous wood, in which large vessels predominate in earlywood and are followed by smaller latewood vessels, giving a noticeable transition within the ring.

Microscopic features typically include a high density of small to medium-sized vessels and a uniform distribution among rays and tracheary elements. Diffuse-porous woods often show indistinct growth rings, reflecting continuous vessel production throughout the season.

Taxonomic pattern: diffuse-porous wood is common among many temperate hardwoods and tropical angiosperms. Common examples include maples (Acer), birches (Betula), and poplars (Populus), among others. The porosity type is used in wood identification and paleobotany to infer ecological adaptation and growth strategies.

See also: xylem, wood anatomy, porosity types, ring-porous, semi-ring-porous.