the functions of a foot root

[bettaMagenta]

I've got sevelflake pothos growing out of my tanks, and it's sending out these incredible "foot roots" that can attach themselves to the smooth white boards lining the walls above my built-in tanks. It's almost like they have a mind of their own, finding places to grab onto and hold tight. I've noticed that usually when they hit the water's surface, they stop growing and don't extend into the water. But I've got one that's defied the norm - it's kept growing, and it's started sending out branches under the water, just like the ones above the surface. These vines are getting crazy long, some of them approaching 15-20 feet, and I'm wondering if maybe the plant has figured out that it needs more water or nutrients closer to the tip of the vine. Maybe that's why it's developed this foot root, to bring in more resources from the water.

[bettaMagenta]

I'm referencing the base of my seveflake pothos - that's the root ball, where all the magic begins.

[bettaMagenta]

Typically, that's how they attach - pretty securely, if I'm being honest. I'd probably end up damaging the plant if I tried to remove it now. If you take a closer look at these pictures, you can see the micro hairs that somehow manage to grip the white board.