Characteristics of Plant Roots
· The root constitutes the underground part of the plant axis.
· It is an organ of the plant that typically lies below the surface of the soil
· Externally the root has root hairs which aid in absorption of water minerals
· Roots can be classified in three main categories:
· Tap roots
§ One large vertical root
§ Also produces many small lateral or branch roots
§ These are common in dicotyledonous plants
· Fibrous roots
§ Mat of thin roots that spread out
§ Made up of many thread-like members of more or less equal length
§ These are common in monocotyledonous plants
· Adventitious roots
§ Form on any plant part other than the roots
§ They commonly occur in grasses
· Functions of the Roots
§ The following are the functions of the roots
§ Roots support (anchorage) the plant in the soil (or other media in which the plant is growing)
§ Absorption of water and other nutrients from the soil
§ Storage of food
§ Transport minerals and water to other parts of the plant
References
Evans, W. C. (2009). Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. India: Reed Elsevier Limited.
