The International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) is pleased to announce a new release of the Index Xylariorum 4.2, the latest edition of the global directory of institutional wood collections. In total, there are 184 wood collections with more than 1.67 million wood specimens included in the Index. This publication builds on the legacy of the Guide to Institutional Wood Collections, first published in 1957, and its subsequent editions in 1967, 1978, 2010, and the updated v4.1 in 2016. The primary goal of Index Xylariorum remains to compile comprehensive information on the existence, staff, and contents of public wood collections worldwide, while documenting changes and developments within these collections over time.

Since 2017, 37 wood collections have had their information updated, reflecting the dynamic nature of this global initiative. Among these updates, 27 collections from countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States have revised their curator or collection details. Meanwhile, ten wood collections from Brazil, Norway, the People’s Republic of China, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have been added to the directory for the first time. These advancements underscore the continued vitality of global wood collections and provide researchers with more accurate and up-to-date data. This progress not only enhances the field of wood anatomy but also fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange across related disciplines.

IAWA encourages wood collections worldwide to continue submitting their data and updating their records with the IAWA Secretariat. This ongoing effort ensures the accuracy and relevance of the Index Xylariorum, supporting global research initiatives and strengthening the wood anatomy community. The IAWA Secretariat plans to update the directory annually and warmly invites all colleagues to participate in this collaborative endeavor.

To get more detailed information on the Index Xylariorum 4.2, please click on the link  http://iawa-website1.org/en/Wood_collection/Overview_of_Wood_Collection.shtml.

For inquiries or to update your collection information, please contact Dr. Yang Lu at the IAWA Secretariat (yang.lu@caf.ac.cn).