The roots of several species growing on the hills were studied
with the following as perhaps the leading results: The root-system
of _Haloxylon scoparium_, as has already been seen to be the case
with an allied species in the country of the M’Zab, may be said
to be a modification of the generalized type. One specimen, partly
exposed by erosion in a wash, had a tap-root over 113 cm. in length
(fig. 76). As this root was 4 mm. in diameter where left, and was
8 mm. in diameter at the crown, it may have penetrated much beyond
the point where it was left, provided the soil conditions continued
favorable. The main root gave off two large laterals, of which one
left the parent root 8 cm. and the other 18 cm. beneath the surface
of the ground, but there were also numerous filamentous roots about
2 cm. in length, which were borne in tufts. (See fig. 79.) These
resembled the deciduous rootlets found on many perennials in the
Tucson region and doubtless function quite as they, namely, they
are organized at the beginning of the rainy season, operate to
increase the water-absorbing area of the plant quickly and greatly,
and die as soon as unbearably arid conditions set in.
In the same wash, where the soil was deep with an admixture of
small stones and pebbles, the roots of other species were also
examined. One of these was _Peganum harmala_, whose roots were
examined at Ghardaia. The root-systems of the plant in the two
regions were similar in being generalized. A main root was found
extending downward over 61 cm. and it gave off three good-sized
laterals, arising from 15 to 27 cm. beneath the surface. The
uppermost lateral took a horizontal course. Figure 82 gives a fairly
good idea of the general character of the root-system of the species.
There were many specimens of _Plantago albicans_ growing in the
same habitat as _Haloxylon_ and _Peganum_. Its root-system was
also studied with the following results: The tap-root is strongly
developed. In one instance the slender main root was found to go
straight down over 71 cm. Numerous laterals were borne between 8
and 20 cm. beneath the surface of the ground. The species has an
interesting habit of propagating vegetatively by means of fleshy
stolons. An examination of the stolons showed them to be of very
unequal age, some having been lately formed, while others had been
organized in previous years and were no longer living. Many specimens
were examined to learn the probable service of the fleshiness of its
stolons, and the conclusion was that this factor probably enables
the species to pass over periods of excessive drought.
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