Roots
Prop roots
Prop roots are adventitious
roots that can occur in either
dicots and monocots.
They are adventitious roots
that form from stem tissue.
Prop roots main function is
for structural stability for
the stem.
In this image of corn, the
prop roots are visible on the
stems just above the soil line.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
Prop roots in
the monocot –
Pandanus add
structural
support to the
main stems.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
Prop roots occur in several palm species.
These are often called stilt root palms.
Verschaffeltia
Socratea
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
The walking palm (Socratea exorrhiza) gets its common name from the Central and
South American tour guide tales that the prop roots can “walk” the plant into more
favorable light conditions. Again it appears that the major function of these prop
roots is to stabilize the main trunk and on a hillside it may appear to be walking.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
In a similar way, the tropical Cecropia tree can
appear to produce prop roots on the main stem
that moves it towards openings in the canopy.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
These prop roots are
supporting horizontal
growing main stems
of tropical fig trees.
The roots become
woody and resemble
stems themselves.
These are sometimes
called brace roots or
column roots.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
These prop roots allow fig (Ficus) trees to form large multi-stemmed trees.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Next
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu
Roots
Prop roots
Mangrove grows along the sea shore
and can be submerged in the water.
Prop roots in mangrove are sometimes
called stilt roots because they raise
the main plant above the water line.
Back to root
adaptation menu
Back
Back to root
main menu
Back to vegetative
parts main menu
Main menu