ROOT TYPES - Names, Characteristics and Photos

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We all have some idea of what the roots of plants are: that lower part that is usually kept underground and through which the plant obtains water and nutrients. However, correctly defining and classifying roots according to botany requires a bit more work.

If you want to learn more about this part of plants and their types, join us in this practical Green Ecologist article in which you will see the root types, as well as its characteristics and photos of some relevant ones.

What are roots - simple definition

The roots They are the first organ that the plant develops when it germinates. They grow by spreading and branching out, usually underground, to cover as much ground as possible and thus increase the capacity of water and nutrient absorption of the plant, which they carry out by means of absorbent "hairs". These nutrients are then transported to the rest of the plant.

The roots also have the function of anchor the plant to the ground in most cases, although there are plants with aerial roots and they fulfill other functions, as in the case of some orchids, which can carry out photosynthesis.

Types of roots: classification

There are several ways we can classify the roots:

Types of roots according to their shape

• Primary or axonomorphic roots
• Fasciculated roots
• Napiform roots
• Branched roots
• Tuberous roots

Types of roots according to the direction of growth

• Adventitious roots
• Aquatic roots
• Sucking roots
• Aerial roots
• Storage roots

Types of roots according to the anchor they give to the plant

• Contractile roots
• Fulcreas roots or stilts
• Epiphytic roots

Primary or axonomorphic roots

Call primary root, fusiform, typical, pivoting or axonomorphic. It is characterized by being a type of root in which there is a main root, of much greater thickness and size, from which secondary roots of less length and thickness branch.

Image: Google Sites Natural Sciences

Fasciculated roots

Also called atypical or fibrous root. In this type of roots there is no main root, so all the branches are equally important and can reach similar sizes. It is one of the most common types of roots in gardening plants.

Napiform roots

The plant contains a great taproot, which has evolved to be able to store reserve nutrients and other vital substances. Therefore, they are very thick roots and, in addition, many of them are edible.

Branched roots

The structure of this root is very reminiscent of that of the branches of a tree. It does not consist of a main root, and it branches very markedly and that is why it is called branched root.

Tuberous roots

The tuberous roots They also have the ability to expand and multiply in size by accumulating reserve substances, but instead of doing it in a single main root, they can do so in several reservoirs. They are usually called tubers.

Adventitious roots

These are roots that are born and develop above ground, instead of under this. It stays in contact with the soil to be able to absorb nutrients and water from it, but it expands above it, without burying itself. They are subdivided into foliar, fibrous, and true adventitious.

Aquatic roots

The aquatic roots are typical of plants that grow in aquatic environments, as the name itself indicates. They are not in contact with the earth, and take the nutrients they need from the same water. They are usually plants that do not remain fixed to anything and simply float to the surface.

Here you can know +50 aquatic plants, their names and characteristics with images.

Sucking or parasitic roots

The parasitic plants They can develop roots that are introduced into the branches or stems of the plants they parasitize, absorbing from them the nutrients they need. These are the calls sucking or parasitic roots and here you can meet various parasitic plants: characteristics, types and examples.

Aerial roots

It is another of the types of parasitic plant roots that grows downward and can lead to strangling the host plant. In this other post you can see more about Air Plants: types, names and care.

Storage roots

They are included in this group the tubers and other roots that are capable of store water and nutrients underground, to keep them safe from herbivorous predators and to be able to take advantage of them when the plant needs them.

Contractile roots

They are also a type of adventitious root. These are roots whose function is to move the sprout to a location close to the surface of the soil. The contractile roots They are long and fleshy in type, and when the plant grows it is partly consumed.

Fulcreas roots or stilts

This type of roots is known as Fulcreas roots, wading roots, or stilts. These start from the base of the trunk or stem before reaching the ground, and grow from there, extending into the ground, even passing through water, so that a part of them is visible. They usually have them large trees, which need greater stability due to the environment in which they develop.

Epiphytic roots

They are developed by plants that grow on the surface of other but without parasitizing them. They do not absorb nutrients from the supporting plant and simply anchor themselves to it. Learn more about these with this other Green Ecologist article about epiphytic plants: what they are, types and examples.

Edible roots - list

There are an enormous amount of roots that we consume regularly. Some are cultivated and these are species domesticated by us in agriculture for consumption, although there are also roots of wild plants that are not normally consumed, but are suitable for consumption in times of urgency or need. These are some of the most consumed edible roots:

• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Yucca
• Beetroot
• Potato
• Carrot
• Licorice
• Parsnip
• Radish
• Valerian
• Ginseng

They tend to be species rich in carbohydrates and starch, highly nutritious and valued. Furthermore, some of the wild species of edible roots are as follows:

• Apron - Trifolium alpinum
• Wild garlic - Allium vineale
• Wild Carrot - Daucus carota

In the case of wild species, it is vital to make sure that we know well the species that we are going to consume before doing so, since confusion can result in serious consequences with poisoning.

If you want to read more articles similar to Root types, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.