Roots may have other specialized functions. Species like Pandanus (hala) have weak, brittle stems which would break under the strain of their large leaves which are clustered about the shoot tips. Hala produces prop roots which compensate somewhat for its weak stems.
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Monstera produces extremely large leaves. These are most visible near the central crosswalk at Dole street & the Law School. The stems can't support the great weight of these leaves but they produce sprawling prop roots which help the stems stay partly erect.
Some crops like Corn (Zea mays) produce Prop Roots. These originate from the Stem and are thus a type of Adventitious Root. An Adventitious Root is one which originates from a Stem or Leaf.
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 Adventitious Roots are produced at the Nodes and serve as Prop Roots. |
| Sorghum | Prop Roots on Sorghum |
| Monstera Leaf | Base of Monstera Stem showing Prop Roots |
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Large trees which grow in the wet unstable soils of the rainforest produce massive outgrowths at their base. These are essential in these wet unstable soils. Otherwise the weight of the aerial system would topple the tree. These are another example of prop roots but their "rooty" nature is not as apparent as with Monstera and Pandanus. They are called Buttress Roots.
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Root Directory
