What is the difference between aerial roots and pneumatophores

Skip to main content Skip to table of contents. This service is more advanced with JavaScript available. Encyclopedia of Estuaries Edition. Editors: Michael J. Contents Search. Authors Authors and affiliations Luzhen Chen.

Reference work entry First Online: 12 August How to cite. Definition Pneumatophores are specialized aerial roots stemming from a subterranean root system, which enable plants to utilize air in waterlogged soil habitats.

As a kind of aerial roots, pneumatophore function is Haustorial roots are those found in parasitic plants, e. Propagative roots are those that develop from the plant nodes such as those found in strawberry runners and sider plants. See also:. This study guide tackles plant roots in greater detail. It delves into the development of plant roots, the root structure, and the major regions of a plant root.

It also talks about the different forms of roots that have specialized functions. Read More. Prop root anatomy of Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott Araceae. Red mangroves have prop roots extending from the trunk and adventitious roots from the branches. Although the black mangrove does not have prop roots, small air roots can be seen extending vertically from the soils surrounding the trunk.

These air roots, called pneumatophores, extend upward from the underground roots above the soil surface. During low tides, air is taken up through open passages in the pneumatophores and transported to living root tissues.

Viviparity and dispersal are reproductive adaptations that give mangroves an increased chance for survival. All mangrove trees share two reproductive adaptations — viviparity and propagule dispersal.

Similar to terrestrial plants, mangroves reproduce by flowering with pollination occurring via wind and insects. Once pollination occurs, the seeds remain attached to the parent tree.

They germinate into propagules before dropping into the waters below. The propagules either take root in the sediments near the parent tree or are dispersed with the tides and currents to other shorelines.

Morphological and Physiological adaptions are required for: Prop roots of the red mangrove. Mangrove root adaptations.