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Line cristation   [ Botany - Horticulture]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Synonym: Linear meristem  
     
  An abnormal development of an apical meristem characterized by indeterminate proliferative growth that develops laterally forming a line rather than from a single point.  
     
   
  A plant becomes crested when its apex develops laterally from a linear meristem rather than a single point. The linear meristem comes to occupy the tip running parallel to the sides. In the miraculous world of botany cristation is a special freak of nature. Cristated plants often look weird, the growing forms sometimes resemble tumors, though it's not an illness: cristated plants are as healthy as non-cristated forms. They are especially beautiful at cacti as, but also other vascular plants can have it.

 

 

 


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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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