Botanical Nerd Word: Radicant

Radicant: A root arising from the node of a prostrate stem.*

This tangled mat of periwinkle (Vinca) and ivy (Hedera) is smothering native plants in Wilket Creek Ravine. These plants are able to produce dense mats due to their ability to produce many radicants along their stems. The radicants allow the plants to self-propagate.

*Harris, J.G., Harris, M.W. (2001). Plant identification terminology: An illustrated glossary (2nd ed.). Spring Lake: Spring Lake Publishing.