aerial root
Above-ground tendril
An aerial root is a root that grows from a plant's stem or branches above ground rather than from underground.
Some aerial roots eventually reach the soil; others absorb moisture directly from the air.
Orchids, banyan trees, and mangroves produce them: The strangler fig's aerial roots slowly enveloped the host tree.
Arising by chance, not inherent
- epiphyteNon-parasitic botanical hitchhiker
- orchidShowy tropical flower
- banyanSelf-supporting fig tree
- strangler figTree-choking epiphyte
propagation · nutrient absorption · rhizome · stolon · vegetative · arboreal · dendrology · photosynthesis
Trailing climbing plant
- lianaWoody climbing vine
- tendrilCoiling plant appendage
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- trailingFollowing behind something
dangle · pendant · suspension · curtain · drapery · hanging · droop · sway
Architectural wall reinforcement
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- gripSecure manual hold
- adhesionState of clinging fast
- attachmentConnection or fondness
climbing · support · scaffolding · foundation · pillar · prop · brace · clinging
Tidal shrub with exposed roots
- oxygenationAdding breathable gas
- swampWaterlogged land with vegetation
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- tidalOf sea rhythms
estuary · anaerobic · marsh · saltwater · brackish · submerged · adaptation · sediment
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- jungleDense tropical forest
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
monsoon · equator · biodiversity · ecosystem · understory · Amazon · cloud forest · greenhouse
adventitious
Arising by chance, not inherent
strangler fig · propagation · nutrient absorption · rhizome · stolon · vegetative · arboreal · dendrology · photosynthesis · climbing
vine
Trailing climbing plant
trailing · dangle · pendant · suspension · curtain · drapery · hanging · droop · sway · entwine
buttress
Architectural wall reinforcement
attachment · climbing · support · scaffolding · foundation · pillar · prop · brace · clinging · purchase
mangrove
Tidal shrub with exposed roots
- oxygenationAdding breathable gas
- swampWaterlogged land with vegetation
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
tidal · estuary · anaerobic · marsh · saltwater · brackish · submerged · adaptation · sediment · floodplain
rainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
tropical · monsoon · equator · biodiversity · ecosystem · understory · Amazon · cloud forest · greenhouse · terrarium
- plant anatomystem, leaves, stems, leaf, flower
- tree partstrunk, branches, branch, bark, leaves
- rootstaproot, rootlet, radicle, zeros, solutions
- mangrovesmangrove forest, mangrove swamp, mangrove swamps, mangrove forests, red mangrove
- fiberscotton, wool, silk, linen, hemp
- plant partsleaf, stem, leaves, flower, flowers