A Study of the Root System of Certain Sand Dune Plants in New Mexico
Dittmer HJ. 1959. A Study of the Root System of Certain Sand Dune Plants in New Mexico. Ecology. 40(2):265-273
This article includes descriptions of plants inhabiting the north central New Mexico sand dunes. Descriptions include: depth of root penetration, amount of lateral growth, area of the greatest concentration of roots, distinguishing characteristics, mycorrhizal relationships, color of roots, and relationship to any other plants in the vicinity. Plants discussed include: 1. Ipomoea leptophylla; 2. Salsola pestifer; 3. Solanum eleagnifolium; 4. Heliotropium convolvulaceum; 5. Croton texensis; 6. Chrysothamnus nauseosus; 7. Franseria acanthicarpa; 8. Sphaeralcea parviflora; 9. Dalea scoparia; 10. Artemisia frigida; 11. Oryzopsis hymenoides; 12. Cenchrus pauciflorus; 13. Opuntia arborescens. Similarities found among the plants include that most have a prominent tap root, and there was relatively little branching from the roots, which can be attributed to the fact that plants in arid habitats usually grow far apart.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Dittmer, Howard
- Units
- WHSA
- Keywords
- Plant Studies, Plants, Roots, Sand Dunes