Question

With reference to Littoral forest, answer the following questions:
(i) Why do the trees in this forest grow aerial roots?
(ii) Name one area in India where this forest is found.

Answer 1

• An aerial root may be defined as a root which, for part of the day at least, is exposed to the air.
• Aerial roots are a strange variation of plant roots, serving some of the same purposes as other roots, but with a twist.
• They do attach to something for support, at least eventually, like trees, bark, or rocks, but they never become fully submerged in the soil.
• They grow not from root tissue, but from the plant's stem or leaf tissues.
• Some of the roots also have chlorophyll and can photosynthesize.
• Littoral forests are found in Odisha coast, Tamil Nadu coast, Gujarat coast, Goa.