Question

Which of the following plants bear hygroscopic roots?
A) Bryophyllum
B) Rhizophora
C) Vanda
D) Cuscuta

Answer 1

Hint: The roots act as normal terrestrial roots. The majority of aerial roots absorb moisture directly from the cloud or wet soil. It functions is to bind the plant to the soil.

Complete step by step solution: To answer this question, first, we should know about the function of roots. The root is a component of a vascular plant. Its main purposes are plant anchoring, water absorption, and dissolved minerals and their conduction to the stem, and supply food storage. Hygroscopic roots are those roots where specific dermal tissue extracts water from the atmosphere.

Now lets us find the solution from the given options-
>Bryophyllum leaves grow small plantlets along their edges, with adventitious roots. These get removed, and a full plant is formed. So, Bryophyllum is an incorrect answer. Thus, option A is an incorrect option.

>Rhizophora growing in moist areas, many of the roots come from the bottom and rise up vertically to receive oxygen. These kinds of roots are termed as pneumatophores. So, Rhizophora is an incorrect answer. Thus, option B is an incorrect option.

>In Vanda are found hygroscopic roots. Vanda epiphytic species possess very large and modified root aerial structures. As in other plants, these aerial plants are used for food consumption and water absorption Often they are used as a structure and for reaching the surface. So, Vanda is the correct answer.

>Cuscuta has haustorial roots. It grows adventitious stem roots which penetrate the host plant tissue and suck nutrients. So, Cuscuta cannot be the correct answer. Thus, option D is an incorrect option.

Thus, option C is the correct option.

Note: Cuscuta is a parasitic plant, after spreading around one host shoot in a few spirals, the parasitic plants make its way to another and begin to twin and branch until it forms a fine tightly twisted network of thin stems that envelops the host plant.