Taproot

Taproot is the large main root that grows downward on a plant.

A carrot is a good example of a this, a large main root that grows downwards. A taproot will grow straight down to locate water and nutrients.

They also store nutrients for a plants future use.

Trees, shrubs and most of the common flowers, except lilies and their relatives and grasses and their relatives, have a taproot.

Taproots are very good at firmly anchoring plants in windy locations or where soil is liable to shifting.

But even a taproot has a series of finer roots and root hairs that branch off from it. Root hairs increase the surface area of roots many times over and the greater the surface area, the more contact is made with the surrounding soil. This allows roots to more easily absorb water and nutrients.

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