The root system is a vital organ of a plant that performs many functions, the most important of which is supplying plants with moisture with useful substances and keeping them in place. In the process of plant development, the roots were divided into main, subordinate and lateral. And the conditions of existence contributed to the modification of the root system and such roots developed: tubers, respiratory, mycorrhiza, stilts and trailed roots, each of which is designed to perform specific functions.
Evolution
It is known that plants began their development from water. The first landlords were distinguished by a primitive structure and had no shoots or roots. They were a fleshy substance of dense texture with many branches, some of which stretched upward, while others spread along the ground and were saturated with moisture with the necessary elements. The plants were provided with the necessary food and water, because they were small in size and grew near a source of moisture.
With further development, creeping processes began to sink into the ground and gave rise to the first roots, which received more saturated nutrition. The structure of plants began to be rebuilt, specialized tissues began to appear. Due to the formation of roots, representatives of the flora became available new territories, remote from the water, and they began to form powerful stalks directed towards sunlight.
Causes of root modification
In conditions of increasing competition for free land, an active modification of the roots began with its own features that allow a certain species to survive.
Roots are the main vegetative organs of plants that never overgrow with foliage and create branched root systems. All plants, with the exception of mosses, have roots, but in different groups they have different development.
Plants have different types of roots, which can be the main, lateral and subordinate. Most flora representatives have underground root systems. But there are also owners of underwater roots (in duckweed) or air (in orchids).
Of particular note are trailed roots, examples of which are ivy, capsis and other creeping species. And some of their brothers chose a parasitic way of survival. They were able to convert trailing roots into suction cups, with the help of which they are attached to other plants and feed at their expense.
Features of Root Hitch
Sunlight is vital to any plant, so those that grow slowly are forced to adapt to get out of the shadow of their brethren. Trailer roots are a type of accessory roots that form on stems from the side of the support. Their main function is to keep the shoots on various substrates and to promote their progress. Roots penetrate crevices and cracks and fill voids, reliably holding plant stems on supports. And if a smooth surface meets on the way, then the tips of the lower roots expand and release an adhesive substance, by means of which they are firmly fixed on the plane, and the young ones continue to search for a new support. Thus, climbing plants are slowly moving towards their goal, bringing leaves to the light.
What functions are inherent in trailed roots
Climbing plants, in addition to the main root, also require additional clipping roots, the functions of which are also invaluable.
- Latching. Through these roots, the plants are firmly held on the occupied surface and crawl to the source of light needed for photosynthesis.
- Suction. The roots draw moisture from a loose surface, and on a solid surface they simply collect and absorb water.
- Transmitting. The roots and water collected are transported to the plant tissue.
- Oxygen saturation. Due to the fact that the roots of the hitch are located on the stems, they contribute to the saturation of the body of the plant with oxygen. The main root cannot fully cope with this task, because the length of climbing plants can reach several tens of meters.
- Sometimes microorganisms settle in the roots, which in the process of their life produce useful substances that enter the plant shoots through the roots.
- The cumulative function is weakly expressed due to the small size of the roots, which physically cannot hold a large amount of water and minerals, so they immediately transfer them to the stem.
- Reproduction. If you separate a part of the shoot and place it in the ground in a new place, then the roots-trailers of the plant will take root, begin to develop, rebuild and take on the functions of the main root. Thus, representatives of the flora can quickly spread throughout the free territory and independently.
The roots can perform all these functions due to their structure, in which several zones are distinguished.
How are trailed roots
If you cut the spine along and place it under the microscope, you can see that it has a heterogeneous structure. It is customary to distinguish several zones of the root, each of which is called upon to fulfill its function. The root consists of:
- The root cap that covers the young root, protecting it from the effects of the external environment, facilitating progress and indicating the direction.
- The division zone, in which the formation of new cells, ensuring the growth of the root.
- A growth zone, the cells of which are no longer dividing, but are stretched and push the tip of the root forward.
- Suction zone covered with root hairs. They are responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients.
- The conducting zone, which is formed by vessels and cells that facilitate the transfer of water and minerals to the stem and leaves, and also returns the organic substances that form in the shoots and leaves.
- Zones of lateral roots where branching begins.
Thanks to this structure, where each zone has its own functions, the plant receives everything necessary for further growth and development.
Examples
Plants with trailed roots are a real find for landscape design. They can advantageously decorate the garden without taking up much space, because they grow vertically and in free territory. Such plants are ideal for decorating gazebos - they reliably shelter from the sun, creating a shadow, and are decorative, introducing their roots-trailers into the support. Examples of plants climbing vertically: monstera, dicenter, campsis, five-leafed girl’s grapes, which are actively used to decorate the garden.
Climbing plants do not require special care, because they are able to independently produce moisture and nutrition, but need regular pruning, otherwise they will quickly fill up all the free space.