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Pseudanthium [ Botany  ]  
(
plural: Pseudanthia)

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Synonyms: False flower
     
  A pseudanthium is a special type of inflorescence, in which several flowers are grouped together that as whole appears to be a single flower, for example, the flower heads of the family Asteraceae or the cyathia in species of Euphorbia.  
     


A pseudanthium (Greek: false flower) is a  compact inflorescence of several to many small flowers which simulates a single flower. The real flowers of a pseudanthium are generally small and greatly reduced. Pseudanthia are particularly widely distributed in the family Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae (there the pseudanthia are called cyathia)
Pseudanthia are also found in the following plant families:
• Apiaceae
• Campanulaceae
• Centrolepidaceae
• Cornaceae
• Cyperaceae
• Hamamelidaceae
• Moraceae
• Poaceae
• Proteaceae
• Rubiaceae
 

     

 


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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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