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Native [ Botany - BiologyEcology  ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Synonyms: Originary, Indigenous
     
  Refers to those species occurring naturally in a particular area; also termed indigenous and therefore not introduced by humans either accidentally or intentionally.  
     
Any organism characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin,  born, living or growing historically in a particular place or region from the beginning that occurs at least partly in natural habitats. In this context, a species which has lived in a particular region for thousands of years, such that it has co-evolved with its associates (animals, other plants, fungi, and bacteria).

It is not enough for the plant to have reproduced in the area for a few generations unaided by human beings; the native species are those that has not been newly introduced by humans into an ecosystem. Sometimes new species are introduced , accidentally or otherwise, by humans to a place from other countries. These new species are called “naturalized” "invaders" or "non-natives."
     
 


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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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