alleryStart learning →Which two root types does an epiphyte have?
AClinging aerial roots and moisture absorbing aerial roots
BClinging aerial roots and deep soil penetrating taproots
CStorage taproots and moisture absorbing aerial roots
DStorage taproots and deep soil penetrating fibrous roots
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Clinging aerial roots and moisture absorbing aerial roots
1. An epiphyte grows on other plants but does not depend on them for nutrition.
2. It has clinging aerial roots, which absorb nutrients from humus accumulating in the crevices of trees.
3. It also has aerial roots that absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
4. Both types are aerial, since an epiphyte perched in a canopy has no soil to reach.
5. Taproots and deep soil roots therefore cannot belong to this life form.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 31 "Soil and Plant Nutrition", section 31.3 Nutritional Adaptations of Plants_
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