Plants can have tap roots or fibrous roots.
A tap root is the thick main root of a plant. It is usually quite long and extends far down into the soil. This type of root can obtain water from much lower down in the soil and is useful if the surface soil dries out because of a lack of rain or hot dry weather. The tap roots of larger plants such as large trees also help to anchor the plant into the ground. They can be several times longer than the height of the tree, giving it stability in windy conditions.
Fibrous roots are found more towards the surface of the soil and are the most plentiful roots in smaller, garden plants. Instead of being very long and thin, they are a mass of tangled fine roots that branch off from each other. They are good for absorbing surface water and for anchoring small plants in the ground, but they don't provide much protection in really dry conditions or if an animal tugs at the plant to uproot and eat it.
A tap root is the thick main root of a plant. It is usually quite long and extends far down into the soil. This type of root can obtain water from much lower down in the soil and is useful if the surface soil dries out because of a lack of rain or hot dry weather. The tap roots of larger plants such as large trees also help to anchor the plant into the ground. They can be several times longer than the height of the tree, giving it stability in windy conditions.
Fibrous roots are found more towards the surface of the soil and are the most plentiful roots in smaller, garden plants. Instead of being very long and thin, they are a mass of tangled fine roots that branch off from each other. They are good for absorbing surface water and for anchoring small plants in the ground, but they don't provide much protection in really dry conditions or if an animal tugs at the plant to uproot and eat it.
