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Imperfect flower [ Botany ]
Synonym: Unisexual flower

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

     
  Describes a flower that has an androecium (stamens) or a gynoecium (pistils) but not both the reproductive organs in the same flower.  
     
For example, staminate flowers are imperfect flowers that contain only stamens, while pistillate flowers contain only pistils (gynoecia).  Also called a unisexual flower.

Plants species with male and female flowers borne on separate male and female individuals are termed dioecious.
Species populations with separate male on female flowers borne on the same individuals are termed monoecious

(Compare with: Perfect flowers.)

 


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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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