Phenology

Phenology [ Botany - Physiology ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names


	The study or recording of the seasonal timing of life cycle and of periodic natural phenomena (changes in plants and animals) such as, bud bursting, Blossoming and fruiting of plants and migration of birds.

Phenology (the nature’s “clocks and calendars”) is specifically used in botany and physiology to describe the timing of biological activity of plants functions over the course of a year, particularly in relation to climate and abiotic factors (eg. seasonal changes of temperatures and photoperiod), such as fruiting, seeds maturation, germination, reproduction, senescence, dormancy. Flowering phenology is particularly important because it determines reproductive synchrony with potential mates

Phenological events are stages of plant growth. Growth stages may be defined by stage of physiological development such as germination, first true leaf etc.
Also, off-cycle phenology.

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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