Taproot

This article is about plant biology. Click here for information on the Nu Metal band named Taproot. Click here for information on Michael Hedges, the creator of the Nu Age album entitled Taproot.

Related Topics:
Plant - Biology - Here - Nu Metal - Taproot - Here - Nu Age

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A plant's taproot is a straight tapering root that grows vertically down. It forms a center from which other roots sprout.

Related Topics:
Plant's - Root

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The taproot is why dandelions are hard to uproot — the top is pulled, but the long taproot stays in the ground, and re-sprouts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A taproot system contrasts to a fibrous root system, with many branched roots.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most trees begin life with a taproot, but after one to a few years change to a wide-spreading fibrous root system with mainly horizontal surface roots and only a few vertical, deep anchoring roots. A typical mature tree 30-50 m tall has a root system that extends horizontally in all directions as far as the tree is tall or more, but well over 95% of the roots are in the top 50 cm depth of soil.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many taproots are modified to become storage organs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some plants with taproots:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Carrot
• Burdock
• Dandelion
• Kudzu
• Parsnip
• Patterson's Curse
• Poppy mallow
• Radish
• Turnip
• Welwitschia
 
Taproot: Typical taproots ►