There are many terms for unusual roots including the following:
- Adventitious roots are roots that grow where roots don't normally grow, for instance roots that develop an air layer
- Coralloid roots develop at the root flare and have the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere such as cycads
- Buttress roots help support massive canopies of trees such as Moreton Bay figs
- Aerial roots gather moisture and support tropical plants living in the canopies of trees that grow in regions of great rainfall
- Root regeneration zones are found at the base of palm trees and will produce new roots if the palms become stressed