work, several species of Lauraceae were noted as lacking 
secretory cells in the secondary xylem, namely : Dehaasia 
triandra, Lindera Benzoin, Nectandra coriacea, N. glo- 
bosa, Neolitsea Levinei, and Ravensara crassifolia. Secre- 
tory cells were described as scarce in Ocotea palmana, 
Hypodaphnis Zenkeri, and Laurus nobilis. The absence 
of secretory cells in the secondary xylem of O. venenosa 
cannot alone be used to rule out or render questionable 
the demonstrated taxonomic affinities of this species. 
The peculiar fenestriform pitting in vessel elements 
represents a unique specialization occurring only in this 
particular species, at least as far as is presently known. 
Whether or not the combination of the unusual fruit 
(for Ocotea, anyway) and the special coronated vessel 
elements are significant enough characteristics upon 
which to base a new genus of Lauraceae, will depend 
upon the judgment of taxonomists. 
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