Arborescence (graph theory)

In graph theory, an arborescence is a directed graph where there exists a vertex r (called the root) such that, for any other vertex v, there is exactly one directed walk from r to v (noting that the root r is unique). An arborescence is thus the directed-graph form of a rooted tree, understood here as an undirected graph. An arborescence is also a directed rooted tree in which all edges point away from the root; a number of other equivalent characterizations exist.

Every arborescence is a directed acyclic graph (DAG), but not every DAG is an arborescence.