Difference Between Prop Root and Stilt Root

The key difference between prop root and stilt root is that prop root is an adventitious root developed from horizontally spread branches of the tree while stilt root is a type of adventitious root developed from basal nodes of the stem near the soil.

Plants have a root system in order to anchor into the soil and absorb nutrients, water and minerals. Some plants have a tap root system while other types have an adventitious root system. Prop root and stilt root are two types of adventitious roots. Prop roots develop from horizontally spread branches of the tree while stilt roots arise from basal nodes of the stem near the soil. Moreover, prop roots grow vertically downwards the soil while stilt roots grow obliquely downwards the soil. Prop roots appear as pillars while stilt roots appear as ropes of a tent. Both types of roots provide mechanical support to the plant.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Prop Root 
3. What is a Stilt Root
4. Similarities Between Prop Root and Stilt Root
5. Side by Side Comparison – Prop Root vs Stilt Root in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is a Prop Root?

Prop root is an aerial root that develops from the horizontal branches of a tree. They look like pillars or poles. They are quite thick and long. Moreover, they grow vertically towards the soil.

The main function of prop roots is providing mechanical support to the plant. Furthermore, they support branches. They even can replace the main stem of the plant. Young prop roots are hygroscopic. They absorb moisture from the air. Ficus benghalensis (banyan tree) has prop roots.

What is a Stilt Root?

Stilt root is a root that arises from basal nodes of the main stem. Stilt roots are like ropes of a tent. They grow obliquely at an angle to the stem. Compared to the prop root, stilt root is short but thick and massive. Their young roots are not hygroscopic.

Similar to prop roots, stilt roots also provide mechanical support to the plant. But they seldom replace the main stem. Mangroves have stilt roots. Pandanus is another tree that has stilt roots.

What are the Similarities Between Prop Root and Stilt Root?

• Prop root and stilt root are two types of adventitious roots of plants.
• They mainly provide mechanical support to the plant.
• Both roots enter the soil.

What is the Difference Between Prop Root and Stilt Root?

Prop root is a type of adventitious root that develops from the horizontally spread branches of the tree while stilt root is a type of adventitious root that develops from the basal nodes of the stem near the soil. So, this is the key difference between prop root and stilt root. Furthermore, prop roots develop vertically towards the soil while stilt roots develop obliquely at an angle to the stem.

Moreover, prop roots are like pillars, while stilt roots are like ropes of a tent. When considering the length of the roots, prop roots are quite long while stilt roots are quite short. Also, another difference between prop root and stilt root is that young prop roots are hygroscopic while young stilt roots are not hygroscopic.

Summary – Prop Root vs Stilt Root

Prop root and stilt root are two types of adventitious roots. They support plants for anchorage into the soil. The key difference between prop root and stilt root depends on the origin. Prop roots develop from horizontal branches while stilt roots develop from basal modes of the main stem. Moreover, prop roots grow vertically downwards to the soil while stilt roots grow obliquely towards the soil. Another difference between prop root and stilt root is that young prop roots are hygroscopic while young stilt roots are not hygroscopic. Moreover, prop roots appear as pillars, while stilt roots appear as ropes of a tent.

Reference:

1. “Mangrove Roots”. Mangrove.At, 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) (46515836481)” By Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE – Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis), (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Prop roots and stilt roots of Pandanus heronensis” By Dr Mary Gillham Archive Pro (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr