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Lithophytic (or Litophytic) [ Botany ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology
index of names

Lithophyte plant
     
  Plant that grows on rocks.  
     
The term "lithophyte" is used to describe any plant that grows attached to a rock; a type of Epiphytic life.

Litophytic vegetation is adapted to low water, little soil, low nutrient content, and often direct sunlight and acidic or alkaline soil (depending on the rock substrate). This plants may grow protected in the detritus in the crevices of rock, as well on dry exposed rock faces or on moss patch.  Lithophytes feed of  nutrients in rain water, moss, litter, and even their own dead tissue.
 

     

 


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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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