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Criptic  [ BotanyEcology ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Synonyms: Inconspicuous, Camouflaged, Hidden, Concealed
Adverbbs: Cryptically
     
  Pertaining to a hidden or concealed condition, particularly of a plant or animal that camouflage in its natural environment.  
     
[From Greek “kryptikos” meaning “hidden”]

Similar to the background; difficult to observe, inconspicuous, camouflaged, or hidden
Applied to organism that live amongst sheltering and concealing cover or which have protective colouration, or both. Describes the form, colouring or markings of plants or animals that hide them from potential predators. Camouflage is cryptic coloration.
     

 


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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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