Question

Give two adaptations of aerial plants.

Answer 1

Aerial plants:

1. Aerial plants live in air and are generally part of the rainforests.
2. Formation of breathing roots and prop roots from aerial plants are two types of adaptations.

Breathing roots:

1. The plants that grow in the swaps do not save enough oxygen present in the soil.
2. The roots of these plants move out of the ground and extend vertically upwards.
3. These roots have minute pores through which exchange of gasses occur with the atmosphere and hence they are called breathing roots.
4. Mangrove is an example of a plant with breathing roots.

Prop roots:

1. Some aerial plants have roots developing from the main stem of the plant and associated branches.
2. These roots develop vertically downwards and can extend deep inside the soil.
3. These roots prop up the branches and provide support to the plant acting like ropes and pillars and hence are called prop roots.
4. Banyan and Indian rubber plants are examples of plants having prop roots.