| Home | E-mail | Cactuspedia | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search  |

 
 
 
Description   [ Taxonomy ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

     
  In taxonomy a description is the more or less complete written statement of the observed characters (quantitative and qualitative parameters) of a taxon which distinguish it from other closely related taxa.  

A complete description includes useful subtle differences which can be useful for distinguishing a taxon from another such as DNA information as well as gross characteristics commonly noticed which in popular culture define something such as "an elephant is a big animal with a very long nose".
Rigorous description use a technical terminology.

See also: Definition, Diagnosis, Original description, Redescription, Protologue

 


Advertising



 

 

1


 
 
 
Holdfast roots  [ Botany  ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

 
     
  Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.  
     
Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans),  develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994
     

 

 

 

| Home | E-mail | Cactuspedia | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search  |