New to the Glossary: Adventitious Root, Aerial Root, Apical Meristem, Fibrous Root, Lateral Root, Root Cap, Root Hair, Taproot

by Mary Free and Christa Watters, Extension Master Gardeners

Why should gardeners take care when planting? Root structures contribute to a plant’s growth, stability, and nutrient absorption so damage to the roots can impact a plant’s ability to survive and thrive. Dig into the underground life of plants and discover the difference between taproot and fibrous root systems and what’s unusual about adventitious roots and their modified forms.

Click on any of the new glossary words above to learn more.

Unable to penetrate landscape fabric this wild columbine taproot thickened instead of lengthened.

American burnweed has a short taproot and tufts of shallow, fibrous roots.

This tall, late-October American burnweed grew prop roots for stabilization.

Rhizomes, like that of Iris germanica are modified plant stems that grow horizontally and have adventitious roos.

Can you identify the types of roots characteristic of wild columbine (left), American burnweed (middle two), and bearded iris (right)?

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