Reproductive system

Reproductive system [ Biology - Botany ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology
index of names

The ensemble of bodily organs and tissues involved in the process of producing offspring.

Organs and tissues involved in the production and maturation of gametes and in their union and subsequent development as offspring.

In zoology, the term "reproductive system" refers only to the set of organs used for sexual reproduction. (female individuals are fertilized by male individuals, producing offspring).

In contrast, plant reproduction is complicated by the potential for reproductive modes beyond mating of distinct male and female individuals. For example, most flowering plants have flowers that are perfect or bisexual (male and female organs combined). This allows the possibility, at least, of self-fertilization. Finally, many plants can reproduce asexually (For instance, runners or stolons grow into new plants)
But in some species, asexual reproduction mimics sexual reproduction with fruits and seeds produced without fertilization.

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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