Q.Students were on the excursion to a botanical garden. They noted following observation. Will you be able to help them in understanding those conditions? Many plants in the marshy region had upwardly growing roots. They could be better seen during low tide.

Roots develop structural changes (metamorphosis) to take on extra functions. Tap root modifications: food storage produces swollen roots of three shapes — fusiform, broad in the middle and tapering at both ends (Radish); conical, broad at the base narrowing to the tip (Carrot); and napiform, a near-spherical swollen base narrowing abruptly (Beet) — while some mangrove tap roots bear lenticels for gaseous exchange. Adventitious root modifications are more varied: food storage gives simple tuberous (single swollen root, e.g. sweet potato), fasciculated tuberous (a fleshy cluster at the stem base, e.g. Dahlia), beaded/moniliform (bead-like swellings, e.g. Spinacia) and nodulose (tip-swollen clusters, e.g. Maranta) roots; respiration is served by negatively geotropic pneumatophores that rise above waterlogged mangrove soil; mechanical support is provided by prop/columnar roots (Banyan), stilt roots (Maize and other Poaceae), climbing roots (betel leaf, black pepper, money plant), clinging …