Altitude

Altitude (Synonym: Elevation) [ Biology - Ecology ]
Abbreviation: Alt.

Dictionary of botanic terminology
index of names


	The altitude is the height of the locality where a species live, it is expressed in metres above sea level (ASL)

Many cacti and succulents grow in high plain and quite a few come from high altitude or almost alpine environments. Various altitude growing succulents are difficult or impossible to acclimatize in warm plain habitat or in subtropical marine environment (and in heated greenhouses too), but many of them can live more or less well in temperate climate. As one moves from low elevation to high altitude the environment changes from tropical (or perhaps temperate depending on which mountain you consider) to arctic. The gradient of latitude that alters the temperature and season length variables is mirrored in altitude. So the same gradient of organisms that exists from equator to poles is expected to be reflected from base to mountain top.
The change of altitude lead to a vast variety of physical and chemical modification like radiation, wind, temperature, humidity, etc.; many plants from high altitude have developed special habits and are covered by hairs or waxy coating to protect against the intense solar radiation.

Altitude [ Taxonomy ]


	In taxonomy the altitude is the height of the locality where the specimen was collected.

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Holdfast roots [ Botany ]
Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.

Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994