rhizophore

plant anatomy

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June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

A rhizophore is a downward-growing, leafless shoot found in club mosses of the genus Selaginella. These structures bear tufts of adventitious roots at their tips. This term is distinct from "rhizoid," which refers to a filament that anchors organisms like fungi and plants, or "Rhizophora," a genus of tropical trees, and the family Rhizophoraceae. Roots, in general, serve to anchor plants and absorb water and nutrients.12345

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lycophyte
Form and function
…feature of Selaginella is the rhizophore, a proplike structure that originates at a point of branching and that forks dichotomously after making contact with the soil or a hard surface. Rhizophores are most readily seen in clambering species. Morphologically, the rhizophore is considered to be a root, although on occasion…
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…feature of Selaginella is the rhizophore, a proplike structure that originates at a point of branching and that forks dichotomously after making contact with the soil or a hard surface. Rhizophores are most readily seen in clambering species. Morphologically, the rhizophore is considered to be a root, although on occasion…
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