If half a century ago any child from 3 years old and older would be asked what is growing upward, the answer would be given immediately. This is an icicle! But today's youth doubts the correctness of this answer.
The correct answer is actually incorrect!
It is difficult for a person with a broad outlook to unequivocally answer the question of what is growing upward. This riddle has many answers. And the generally accepted one is the most vulnerable to criticism. It’s easier to say: the “correct” answer is actually incorrect. And there is evidence for that.
First, the icicle has no roots. And the growth process itself is also in great doubt. It is assumed that something that is constantly increasing can grow. An icicle can decrease in one day, and completely melt in another.
For its "growth" it is necessary that at first the temperature rises slightly above zero. When the meltwater escapes from the melting snow on the roof to the icicles, cooling should begin. Droplets of water running off at this time on an icicle, freeze at its very tip. Thus, the icicle will increase in size.
The process of increasing the size of stalactites is identical to the growth of icicles. Therefore, by analogy to this riddle, such an answer must exist.
Teeth in the upper jaw
Most of those who are not familiar with the generally accepted answer in Soviet times to the question of what is growing upward in the root consider these to be upper teeth. Their growth process is quite physiological. And on the upper jaw, the teeth are just located upside down. Therefore, it was more logical to assume that the correct answer was not an icicle at all. The upper tooth, which grows upward by the root, is more suitable as a guess.
Hair and beard
And another question can be given to the question of what is growing upward by root. After all, the hairs in the beard also have roots. And they grow down. Hence, roots up. And in the nose, the hairs also grow down. And in the armpits, the same picture is observed.
Actually, if we talk about the hair on the head, then half of them grow down. And for girls who prefer to braid braids, this riddle fits perfectly. Indeed, in braids, even the hairs from the crown, it turns out, are located with their roots up.
By the way, about hair there are other children's puzzles for 5-year-olds. For example, this: "Do not plant, do not water, they themselves grow." Although cynics even here will find something to complain about. After all, people themselves and nails grow.
Plants with aerial roots
An interesting fact from botany: in nature there are amazing plants! They release aerial roots. For example, epiphytic orchids have trailing roots on all their branches in addition to traditional ones growing in humus.
Epiphytic ferns and some palm trees have similar roots. In this sense, Raphia ruffia (raffia) is interesting. Its roots are bent upwards and act as respiratory organs.
The New Zealand metrosideros tree (or Christmas tree) sometimes ejects many roots hanging from the branches with lush brushes. Another name for this unique plant is pokhutukawa.
Tomatoes up roots
And today, many gardeners practice such an original planting of tomatoes. In pots with earth, holes are made below, where seeds are planted. Tomato bushes grow roots up.
So gardeners save space. They also argue that tomatoes growing downward do not require garter and installation of trellises. The fruits, without touching the ground, practically do not rot. Bushes are protected from many earth pests. The infection of plants from the soil will not pass if the predecessors were ill with something.
True, tomatoes do not want to understand the benefits of growing up roots. And they are stubbornly trying to pull the branches up. Therefore, the bushes themselves take a strange curved, arched shape.
Here's how many interesting things you can find out if you are interested in what other guesses fit a simple children's riddle.