Exploring the region after the snow melt, Cornelissen’s team discovered that C. conorhiza specimens were surrounded by a thick layer of matted roots growing upwards and out of the soil (see photo, above right). The team realised that the roots, seemingly growing into thin air, would for most of the year be covered in snow – and so they dubbed them “snow roots”. (via Unique roots let plant forage in the snow - life - 12 June 2009 - New Scientist
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