Plant Root, Stem, and Leaf Modifications: Structures, Functions, and Economic Uses

Buttress Roots

Aerial roots that look like buttresses give architectural support to the trunks of trees.

Prop Roots

Prop roots are examples of adventitious roots, which arise from any plant part other than the roots (like leaves and stem).

Aerial Roots

Many epiphytes have aerial roots for a variety of reasons, including climbing, photosynthesis, and capturing moisture.

Pneumatophores

Specialized roots of some trees grow up into the air, allowing oxygen to diffuse in.

Nodules

Symbiotic interactions with soil bacteria or fungi that increase a plant's ability to absorb water and minerals.

Storage Roots

Some roots are enlarged and store large quantities of starch.

Parasitic Roots

Some roots absorb nourishment from the host plant.

Stolons

Horizontal stems that sprout from an existing stem and grow aboveground, forming roots and new shoots at their nodes.

Rhizomes

Thickened, underground horizontal stems that produce shoots and roots.

Tubers

Swollen regions of rhizomes or stolons that store starch.

Corms

Bulbous underground stems that lie dormant during winter.

Succulents

Specialized photosynthetic stem for water storage.

Thorns

Thorns are modified branches appearing as hard, woody, sharp outgrowths that protect the plant.

Tendrils

Allow a plant to climb from the forest floor to the canopy, maximizing its exposure to sunlight.

Tendrils & Hooks

Tendrils and hooks are leaves modified to attach the plant to a support.

Spines

The spines of a cactus are leaves that protect the fleshy stem from herbivores.

Bulb

A bulb consists of a short, flattened stem encased in overlapping layers of thickened modified leaves called scales.

Bracts

Leaves in some species are modified to have different colors and look like petals.

Trichomes

Sticky trichomes for trapping, sensitive trichomes act as triggers, and trichomes secrete digestive enzymes.

Plantlets

Some plant species produce tiny, identical plantlets, each of which may fall to the ground and take root.

Economic Value of Roots

Source of Income, Food Source, Medicinal Source, Soil Preservation.

Economic Value of Leaves

Food, Medicine, Industry, Dyes, Fibers.