Keeled

Keeled [ Botany ]
Synonyms: Carinate

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

With a ridge along the middle, resembling the bottom (keel) of a boat

Of leaves that have a distinct sharp angled edge fold along the midrib or in the bottom, resembling the keel of a boat.

Keeled leaves are frequently found among succulent plants belonging to the Aizoacee family. The particular shape of the keels is a distinctive characteristic useful for plant classification end identification. Different keels may or may not carry indentation, serration, be very sharp or rounded etc.

Left: keeled leaves of Cheiridopsis subaequalis

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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