You will find here a tool designed to differentiate tree species based on their wood anatomy. The visual identification key presents 70 commercial species from the DRC, which are characterized based on 22 macroscopic and microscopic anatomical features called “descriptors”. The illustrated key allows the user to compare the visual attributes of a sample with reference images. Each descriptor can have multiple “states” reflecting the diversity of anatomical attributes across the various species. Selecting matching states with a sample allows to narrow down the list of possible corresponding species.
The key was developed based on the characteristic anatomical features defined on the IAWA’s Inside Wood database for these species. It should be noted that in its current version, the key is only available in French to facilitate its use as a didactical tool in the DRC. It was made as an easy-access tool that can be used by scientists as well as anyone else with a keen eye and a desire to identify a wood sample. In order to allow its use in the field or in places with variable internet accessibility, the key can be downloaded and used offline. Instructions and compressed files can be downloaded here.
