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Brace roots have a unique architecture that expands beyond the soil-based definition of root system architecture to include aerial environments. These different environments impact the function of brace roots for anchorage, water, and nutrient acquisition. Brace roots were historically named for their perceived role in anchorage.
The surface of these roots is covered with porous lenticels, which lead to air-filled spongy tissue called aerenchyma. This tissue facilitates the diffusion of gases throughout the plant, as oxygen diffusion coefficient in air is four orders of magnitude greater than in water. [2] Pneumatophores of mangrove plant
Other aerial roots are used mainly for structure, functioning as prop roots, as in maize or anchor roots or as the trunk in strangler fig. In some Epiphytes – plants living above the surface on other plants, aerial roots serve for reaching to water sources or reaching the surface, and then functioning as regular surface roots. [32]
Prop roots give mechanical support to aerial branches. The lateral branches grow vertically downward into the soil and act as pillars; example: banyan . Climbing roots arising from nodes attach themselves to some support and climb over it; example: Epipremnum aureum .
In its broader sense, a tap-root that is thick and fleshy (due to storage); i.e. when tuberation take place in a tap-root. Pneumatophores (respiratory roots) – Part of tap-root system as respiratory roots; found in many mangrove trees. They arise from the thick, mature branches of tap-root systems, and grow upwards.
The red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) survives in the most inundated areas, props itself above the water level with stilt or prop roots and then absorbs air through lenticels in its bark. [21] The black mangrove ( Avicennia germinans ) lives on higher ground and develops many specialized root-like structures called pneumatophores , which stick ...
The red mangrove grows closest to open water. It has multiple prop roots, which may help to stabilize the soil around its roots. Further inland is the black mangrove lacking prop roots, but does have pneumatophores, which grow up from the roots to above the water level. The white mangrove grows further inland.
Example of aerial roots in the rubber fig (Ficus elastica) Due to the habitat in which R. apiculata occurs, the roots possess a special trait designed to anchor the plant to the soil. [4] [9] It still acts as a normal root through in-taking both water and nutrients with the only difference being it descends from the branches. Aerial roots ...