Question

Buttress roots can be traced in-
A. Salmalia
B. Ficus
C. Terminalia
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Buttress roots are typically found in tropical rainforest, in the soils which are nutrient-poor. These roots are not too deep inside the soil. These are formed only in some species. Buttress roots are the extensions of lateral surface roots in the form of horizontal aerial roots. They appear as a plant-like outgrowth of the tree that supports the tree.

Complete answer:
These roots are horizontally spread in order to cover a wider area so that they could get more nutrients. They prevent trees from falling, they act basically like prop roots. These roots are present on all sides of a tree which is shallowly rooted. They give extra stability to the trees.
Buttress roots are found in Terminalia, Salmalia, Ficus, and Bombax etc. These buttress roots resist toppling in trees because they provide stability. Buttresses are larger on the side being away from the stress of asymmetrical canopies, these are tension elements. The support to trees increases as the buttress roots get intertwined with the roots of other plants, creating a complex mesh. They’re mainly found in tropical rain forests because shallow roots alone cannot meet the nutrient requirements to support such a huge forest.
The correct option would be (D), all of the above.

Note: There are ridges between the roots that create a large surface area. A buttress root absorbs oxygen directly from the air and thus helps a tree when there is water logging which often occurs in tropical rainforests. Thus, buttress roots do not get their nutrients from the soil; they get their nutrients from air and water.