pneumatophore

PNEUMATOPHORE
A pneumatophore is a specialized structure found in certain plants, particularly in some species of trees that grow in swampy or waterlogged soils. It is also known as an air root or a knee root. Pneumatophores are modified roots that grow vertically upward from the underground roots of the plant to reach the surface of the water or the wet soil. They are filled with spongy tissues that contain large air spaces, allowing the plant to obtain oxygen for respiration even in waterlogged environments, where oxygen is typically scarce.

Pneumatophores are commonly found in trees that grow in swampy or brackish environments, such as mangrove trees. They are also found in some other types of wetland vegetation, such as cypress trees and some species of palms. The pneumatophores of mangrove trees are particularly important because they help to anchor the trees in the soft, muddy soils and provide aeration to the root system. They also serve as habitats for many organisms, including fish and crabs.