Adventitious Root System

Nodulose aerial roots

Adventitious roots are aerial roots of perennial plants with nodules that develop during flowering. Inducible processes are the major determinants of adventitious root development. However, they are rarely studied in detail. Freschet et al. studied the root systems of various species to determine how they form.

Compared to primary roots, adventitious roots are short and may be complemented by many stem roots. They are characteristic of bromeliads and orchids, as well as many epiphytes. The adventitious root system is very useful in vegetatively propagating many types of plants, particularly for transplanting.

Some climbers have adventitious roots. These roots may originate from a node, an intemode, or both. The roots often have no definite shape but are fleshy and swollen. They may have claw-like swollen tips and secrete a sticky juice at the tip. Examples of adventitious roots are Indian Spinach, asparagus, and some grasses.

Nodulose "stilt" roots

The adventitious root system of plants is a branching system of roots that grow above the ground. They have special functions and are important to plant life. Gardenerdy explains how adventitious roots can help plants in a variety of ways. For example, mangroves propagate by shooting new trunks away from the parent plant. In flood-lands, small adventitious roots can absorb oxygen, making it available for submerged roots. Other adventitious root systems serve as pillars, giving structural support to the tree.

Adventitious roots can be either tuberous or tubular, and can have a definite shape. Some plants have tubular adventitious roots, which have a tuberous vascular system, and nodules at their tips. Some nodulose "stilt" roots have definite shapes, such as arrowroot and mango-ginger.