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Phalaenophily [ Botany ]
Synonym: Sphingophily,  Moth pollination
Adjective: Sphingophilous, Phalaenophilous

Dictionary of botanic terminology
index of names

     
  Pollination by hawk moths and nocturnal Lepidoptera.  
     
The plants that are pollinated by moth (nocturnal butterflies) are called sphingophilous or phalaenophylous plant.
These plants have large nocturnal white flowers whit a strong sweet scent. These features allow moths that are active at night to find the flowers from afar. The moth stay on the wing while inserting their long tongue into the deep nectar container, These plant comprise the longest nectar bearing flowering tubes known in the plant kingdom.
Photo by Steve Swirsky (South-East Florida, USA): Night blooming Cereus and a nocturnal butterfly. Night Blooming Cereus with Butterfly - photo by Steve Swirky - Southeast Florida USA
     

 


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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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