Root

Root, part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients and anchors the plant. Water and nutrients enter a root through minute root hairs sited at the tip of each root. There are two main types of root systems; the taproot system, in which smaller secondary and tertiary roots branch out from a strong main root; and the fibrous root system, in which a mass of equal-sized roots are produced. In plants such as the sugar beet, the taproot may become swollen with stored food material. Adventitious roots anchor the stems of climbing plants, such as ivy. Epiphytic plants such as orchids have roots that absorb moisture from the air. The roots of parasitic plants such as mistletoe and dodder absorb food from other plants.