Roots Modified for Vital Functions,Epiphytic roots or Hygroscopic roots,Assimilatory roots,Parasitic roots/ Haustoria, Reproductive roots,Mycorrhizal roots

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Morphology of Flowering Plants Morphology of Plants Characteristics of Root Root System Modifications of Root Systems Adventitious Root Roots Modified for Additional Support Roots Modified for Vital Functions Characteristics of Stem Kinds of Bud Modifications of Bud Types of Stems Aerial Modifications of Stem Plant Leafs Shapes of Lamina Leaves Venation Leaves Phyllotaxy Simple and Compound Leaves Functions of Leaves Importance of Studying Leaf Morphology

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Roots Modified for Vital Functions
1. Epiphytic roots or Hygroscopic roots
These adventitious roots are found in some orchids that grow as epiphytes on tree trunks. These specialised roots are whitish and thickened having a sponge like tissue called velamen. It helps in absorbing and storing water e.g. Vanda.

2. Assimilatory roots
These are chlorophyll containing green roots performing photosynthesis. e.g. Trapa, Tinospora etc.

3. Parasitic roots/Haustoria
These roots are seen in non-green parasitic plants unable to manufacture food of their own. These roots penetrate the host tissue and enter its conducting system to absorb the food required e.g. Cuscuta, Orobanche, Viscum etc.

Aerial Epiphytic Roots of an Orchid

Parasitic Roots of Cuscuta

4. Reproductive roots
Many roots e.g. in sweet potato, develop buds to form leafy shoots that later serve as a means of propagation.

Reproductive Roots of Sweet Potato

Pinus Rootlets invested with Mycorrhizal Fungus

5. Mycorrhizal roots
In plants like Pinus and Monotrapa, roots become associated with fungal hyphae helps to absorb water and minerals from soil and gets the supply of organic food from the roots.

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Anatomy of Flowering Plants Tissue and Meristematic Tissue Classification of Meristematic Tissue Apical Meristems of Stem and Root Permanent Tissue Simple Permanent Tissue Complex Tissues - Xylem Types of Xylum Complex Tissues - Phloem Classification of Permanent Tissue on Basis of Their Functions Types of Vascular Bundles Anatomy of Monocot Stem - Maize, Primary Structure of Stem Anatomy of Dicotyledonous Stem - Sunflower Stem Secondary Growth in Dicot System Origin and Activity of Cambium Origin and Activity of Cork Cambium Heart Wood and Sap Wood Primary Structure of Monocot Root Primary Structure of Dicot Root Secondary Growth in Dicot Roots Origin and Activity of Vascular Cambium Origin and Activity of Cork Cambiums Internal Structure of Dicot Leaf Internal Structure of Xerophytic Leaf Internal Structure of Monocot Leaf - Isobilateral Leaf