Structural variation of native cellulose related to its source

X‐ray diffraction diagrams of 80 specimens, mainly from woody plants, were recorded and resolved into characteristic reflections of cellulose I. Significant differences were observed in d ‐spacings and integrated intensity ratios between softwoods and hardwoods. Of the lattice parameters, the monoclinic angle was found to be correlated with plant taxonomy and tended towards the right angle in the more advanced taxonomic groups. We have therefore demonstrated that the crystal structure of natural cellulose shows some variations related to the source of the cellulose.