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Aerial roots are roots growing above the ground. They are often adventitious , i.e. formed from nonroot tissue. They are found in diverse plant species, including epiphytes such as orchids ( Orchidaceae ), tropical coastal swamp trees such as mangroves , banyan figs ( Ficus subg.
Aerating roots (or knee root or knee or pneumatophores): roots rising above the ground, especially above water such as in some mangrove genera (Avicennia, Sonneratia). In some plants like Avicennia the erect roots have a large number of breathing pores for exchange of gases.
The roots of a tree serve to anchor it to the ground and gather water and nutrients to transfer to all parts of the tree. They are also used for reproduction, defence, survival, energy storage and many other purposes. The radicle or embryonic root is the first part of a seedling to emerge from the seed during the process of germination.
The roots may intertwine with buttress roots from other trees and create an intricate mesh, which may help support trees surrounding it. They can grow up to 30 feet (9 m) tall, spread for 100 ft (30 m) above the soil, and then continue another 100 feet below.
A number of plants have soil-level or above-ground rhizomes, including Iris species and many orchid species. T. Holm (1929) restricted the term rhizome to a horizontal, usually subterranean, stem that produces roots from its lower surface and green leaves from its apex, developed directly from the plumule of the embryo.
A plant that produces root sprouts or runners is described as surculose. [1] Water sprouts produced by adventitious buds may occur on the above-ground stem, branches or both of trees and shrubs. Suckers are shoots arising underground from the roots some distance from the base of a tree or shrub. [1]
Above ground, the branches divide into smaller branches and shoots. The shoots typically bear leaves, which capture light energy and convert it into sugars by photosynthesis, providing the food for the tree's growth and development. Trees usually reproduce using seeds.
If a given stem is producing an insufficient amount of energy for the plant, the roots will "abort" it by cutting off the flow of water and nutrients, causing it to gradually die. Below ground, the root system expands each growing season in much the same manner as the stems. The roots grow in length and send out smaller lateral roots.
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