As our caves are quite shallow in many areas, roots very often extend into them in search of water. In areas where you have air spaces entrapped or air domes there is an ongoing calcification process of the roots that from so called rootsicles. As the fossilisation process continues and when the organic material has long since decayed, the calcite deposit preserve their shape and original form, we call these special kind of speleothems rhizomorph. These formation can grow to a considerable length and compared to the growth of stalactites also quicker.
Reference is made to an online Glossary of Caving Terms by Garry K Smith © (Aug.1998) which is very helpful to determine the correct word for some of the formations I get to see on my dives here.
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