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Etiolation  [ Botany - Horticulture ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Adjective: Etiolated 
     
  A phenomenon exhibited by plants grown under low light intensity or in complete darkness: An abnormal increase in stem elongation, accompanied by poor or absent leaf development.  
     
Physiological etiolation is caused by a lack of chlorophyll, and is typical of plants growing under low light intensity or in complete darkness. It can also be caused by disease. Etiolated plants are pale yellow and have spindly growth with long internodes, small leaves and spines.

Etiolated plants are structurally weaker, possess less resistance to sunburn. Etiolated plants (eg. plants overwintered indoor or cultivated under dense sunscreen ) need to be gradually accustomed to the direct sun exposure over a one-week to one month period. If the unveiling occurs too rapidly the etiolated shoots will suffer severe sunburn.
     

 


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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
     

 

 

 

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