The plant world of our planet is extremely diverse. Sometimes representatives of the flora simply amaze with their incredible adaptations, which are formed in them to adapt to living conditions. Some of them amaze with incredibly bright and beautiful flowers, others with fragrant and juicy fruits, while others surprise with unusual leaves.
Among them are those who were forced to form a special type of roots. After all, as you know, this body is practically the most important and significant in plant nutrition. So we will consider one of such examples of elegant, eye-catching and very original types of roots.
Vegetative organs of plants
On the whole, giving a characterization to any terrestrial multicellular plant, it is worth highlighting several basic structural parts in its structure.
- Elevated part. It consists of a shoot, including the stem, leaves and flowers (in the future fruits).
- Underground part. It is represented by the root with all associated structural parts.
All of the listed organs of the plant are called vegetative, that is, not taking part in sexual reproduction. The root is one of the most important of these parts of the body, as it performs very different, but vital functions for the plant. There are different types of root systems, as well as different types of roots themselves (respiratory, props, trailers , etc.).
Types of Root Systems
The entire root system of a plant can be divided into its constituent components. So, allocate:
- The main root is the one that is formed from the apical meristem and keeps it active throughout life (that is, such a root has unlimited growth). It is characterized by positive geotropism - the ability to orient growth towards the center of the earth, down.
- The adnexal roots are those that form on different parts of the plant, the old root, leaves, stem, and so on. Example: props, aerial roots of epiphytic plants and others.
- Lateral - those that branch in large or small quantities from the main and subordinate, forming together with them a single root system of a certain type.
In connection with the severity of a particular type of root in the system, it is customary to distinguish their 2 main types.
- The root root system - when the central root is most pronounced, and the lateral and subordinate adnexa are only an addition (most often in representatives of the class of dicotyledons).
- Fibrous - when there is no central pronounced root. All together - the main, side and accessory - form a single highly branched bundle of threads. More often observed in monocotyledons.
Various modifications of the root are of great interest . One of them is precisely the root-supports, the functions and examples of which we will consider later.
What are root props?
These are highly specialized subordinate roots that form on the stem of plants. Thus, the props are not the main, but subordinate structures. They are also characterized by positive geotropism, as well as the main root.
Accepted plants having such devices, called banyan trees. They are considered in their homeland (in India, Asia, countries with a tropical climate) very important and even sacred. Outwardly very unusual, in diameter all the roots in the aggregate can reach several tens, or even hundreds of meters. There are several reasons why such props are formed. Their functions are significant for plants.
Functions of such roots
- Additional transport of water and minerals.
- Support function for better strengthening and fixing the plant in the soil.
- Capture of a vast territory of growth due to the rooting of all subordinate structures.
The root-backups perform their functions in good faith. Plants with such features look very unusual and spectacular and occupy quite extensive spaces in tropical forests.
Props Roots: Tropic Plant Examples
The bulk of plants of this kind relates to ficus. Their country of origin is India, where all banyan trees are considered sacred and are subject to careful protection and care from the person.
So, for example, the Indian ficus, whose Latin name is Ficus elastika, in nature is a tall large tree (up to 30 m) with large dark green beautiful glossy oval-shaped leaves. Its root-support functions perform all the same: support when rooting, seizing the territory and receiving increased nutrition. Such a plant can grow to the size of a small grove.
Room analog
For a long time there is an indoor variety of Ficus elastika. This small potted plant that does not bloom is valued for the beauty of its juicy, shiny and large leaves. For him, all conditions are created. This implies that at home it is not required that their root-support functions be performed. And plants of this type simply do not form them.
Ficus bengalensis
This representative of the considered group of plants is a long-lived tree. The oldest representative has 3,000 years of existence! This is a very large tall tree, in which roots-props are formed during life. Their functions are mainly in the absorption of air, moisture and subsequent rooting with conversion to real support pillars.
This species of ficus can form several hundred subordinate roots for life, which allows it to occupy areas of up to 2 hectares. Its leaves are relatively small, up to 20 cm in length. Fruits are a favorite treat of birds and some monkeys.
People have learned to grow this plant for decorative purposes, so in the temperate zone it can also be found in the form of a many times reduced potted copy.
Ficus religiosa (Ficus religiosa)
There is another type of ficus that forms the roots-props. Examples of such trees can be seen in their natural habitat - in India and Southeast Asia. All types of ficus religions are valuable material for study and are protected in nature reserves and parks of local residents.
The number of roots that one such tree can form is about 300. All of them are rooted and form like arbors or groves in which a person can easily roam. The seeds and fruits of this tree are a favorite treat of animals and birds. And the resin of almost all ficus plants growing in tropical countries is a valuable material for humans. It is called shellac.
Indoor variety of this plant is widespread in the temperate zone. It is valued for its beautiful leaves, unpretentiousness in care and longevity.
Monstera deliciosa (Monstera deliciosa)
There are also unusual representatives of the flora, in which in the natural environment roots-props are formed. Examples of plants: monstera, as well as all others, except the above, species of ficus. It is noteworthy that at first the monsters settle on other trees as epiphytes like lianas. But over time, they form their own long roots, which, growing to the ground, take root and allow her to feel more confident and free.
An amazing feature of Monstera deliciosa, in addition to such roots, is the ability to get rid of excess moisture with the help of water stomata. This is a "weeping plant", after the rain pouring streams of excess moisture through the ends of the leaves.
There is also a cultural variety of such a monstera. It is grown in pots and is very fond of beautiful carved leaves and unpretentiousness.
Mangroves
These forests are characterized by the formation of not quite props, but at the beginning of aerial roots. It is they that eventually turn into stilted and supportive, allowing mangrove trees to grow in such unusual and difficult conditions - on the gentle and flat shores of the oceans and salty rivers.
In this case, not quite ordinary ones perform root-supporting functions, and plants use them more for air absorption than as a support. However, over time, this function is also fully realized. The fact is that many different shrubs and trees belong to mangrove plants. Together, they form a common forest called mangrove. And it is in it that in order to survive, plants form such adaptations as unusual modifications of the roots. After all, it’s difficult to live partly in salt ocean water all your life. This leads to a lack of air, water, to an excess of minerals. Additional roots allow mangroves to solve these problems and survive peacefully, delighting with a riot of lush greenery and an unusual appearance.