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Aril  [ Botany ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Synonyms: Arillus
     
  A fleshy or hard structure and often brightly coloured outgrowth from a seed.  
     
[L. arillus dried grape] an accessory covering or appendage from the hilum of a seeds and which may partially or entirely envelope it. It is often fleshy, coloured and edible (as for passionfruits where the edible part is made of arils) and functions to attract animals which then disperse the seed. But in some species (Eg. Pterocactus) it can also be a dry thickening that protect the seed.
 
     

 


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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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