Abstract:

One of the basic characteristics of tropical forests is their diversity of tree species and the diversified morphological and architectural traits of the tree species. The study of architecture is an important aspect of the research for structural diversity of tropical tree species. This paper gives a brief account of the development of the science of architecture of tropical trees. The manners of tree formation and the major elements of architecture are described. Main classification elements for architecture of tropical trees include the following: developmental sequence of different parts of the trees, manners of meristem activity, manners of extension growth, and patterns of branching, etc. The dynamics of structure and morphology are implicated in the concepts of tree architecture and architectural model. 23 basic architectural models were recognized by tropical botanists according to elements of architecture. We concisely described the major characteristics of the 23 models. And their similarity and dissimilarity are illustrated in the key and series of illustrate figuers mainly developed by Halle et al. None study on architecture of tropical trees has been conducted in China till now. We expect that this review would stimulate more researches in this field in China, a country with tropical forests in its southern part. This review affords references for further study of architecture of tropical trees in China.

Key words: Tropical trees, Architecture, Architectural models