When cave passages are shallow, roots may extend into them in a quest for water. These may then become coated with calcite, essentially fossilizing them. Rootsicle is the generic term for all forms of such coated roots, whether forming a column, as in the top photo, or a stalactite, as in the lower image. Rootsicles tend to be more common in tropical caves, although the one in the bottom photo is in California.

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	Created: May 3, 2005 Author: Dave Bunnell