plant roots

A deformity? Scary Halloween toes?Nature’s wonders may not always be beautiful but they are fascinating.This is the base of a stalk of corn and the extensions are called “bracer roots”.They are more commonly seen on heirloom varieties that are tall growers.The indigenous Mixe community in the isolated village of Totontepec in the eastern mountains of Oaxaca, grow a maize, known as olotón which grows to nearly 20’ feet in height.It produces a mucous like gel from these bracer roots.The gel contains nitrogen forming bacteria that drips to the soil and nourishes the plant!Further research with this unique trait could revolutionize Read more