For Storage of Food
Modified Tap Roots  View Image
Type Important feature Example
Fusiform Swollen root tapering at both ends Radish
Napiform Large globular root, swollen at upper end, tapers sharply at lower end Turnip, Beetroot
Conical Broad at the base, gradually tapers towards the apex like a cone Carrot
Tuberous Thick and fleshy root, without any particular shape Mirabilis
Modified Adventitious Roots  View Image
Tuberous root or tubercular root Swollen root without any shape. Produced singly, never in clusters Sweet potato
Fasciculated root Several swollen roots that occur in a cluster at the base of the stem Dahlia, Asparagus
Nodulose root Slender roots that become suddenly swollen at or near the apex Turmeric
Beaded or moniliform roots Roots have swellings at regular intervals giving a beaded appearance. Momordica(bitter gourd), Indian spinach
Annulated roots Roots have series of ring-like swellings all over the root Ipecac
Modifications for mechanical support – Adventitious Roots  View Image
Prop roots These are massive roots produced from the stem and aerial branches. They grow vertically downwards, supporting the branches or the plant. They look like pillars and allow the tree to grow in a large area The great Banyan tree in has about 1600 prop roots forming a crown of 404 meters in circumference
Stilt roots Some plants develop small clusters of aerial roots from their lower nodes of the plants near the base. They grow obliquely downward and penetrate the soil. Maize, sugarcane, screw pine
Climbing or clinging roots Certain plants with weak stems, produce roots from the nodes and internodes so as to support the plants in climbing to nearby objects. These root often secrete a kind of sticky juice which quickly dries up in air to adhere firmly. Hence called clinging roots. Betel
Buttress roots In certain trees, some of the stout roots around the base of the main trunk show polific abnormal growth and look like plants. They grow obliquely downwards and give support to huge trunks of trees Silk-cotton tree, white-cotton tree
Modifications for Vital functions
Modified True Roots  View Image
Nodulated root (for nitrogen fixation) Roots of leguminous plants show nodules due to the presence of symbiotic bacteria Rhizobium that fixes the nitrogen for the plant Leguminous plants like pea, gram, peanut
Respiratory roots or Pneumatophores Plants growing in marshy places and salt lakes develop roots that grow vertically upwards from the underground roots. They appear like a conical spikes coming out of water. They have numerous pores that help in respiration i.e. through which air is taken in. Rhizophora, Heritiera, Sonneratia
Modified Adventitious roots  View Image
Sucking roots or Haustoria These are roots given out by parasitic plants. They penetrate into the tissue of host plant and absorb food by sucking through these roots. Dodder (Cuscuta)
Epiphytic roots These are aerial roots given out by plants that grow on branches of trees. The hanging roots surrounded by a spongy tissue velamen that helps to absorb moisture from the surrounding air. These roots often turn green and carry photosynthesis also. Orchids like Vanda
Respiratory roots In certain aquatic plants, the floating branches develop soft, light, spongy and colorless roots. These are above the surface of water and store air . they help in respiration and act as floating organs. Jussiaea (aquatic plant)
Assimilatory roots (for photosynthesis) In plants like Tinospora and some orchids that climb on neighboring trees, long, slender hanging roots develop chlorophyll and turn green. They carry photosynthesis and provide food to plant. The submerged roots of water chestnut (Trapa) also turn green and photoynthesise. Tinospora, Hanging roots of epiphytic orchids, Water chestnut (Trapa)
Mycorrhizal roots Roots of certain higher plants occur in association with fungal hyphae. It is symbiotic association as the fungus helps in absorbing minerals and water and in turn the plant root provides the food to fungus Roots of plants like Pinus and other gymnosperms
Leaf roots A cluster of roots develops in the leaf notches along the margin of leaf. They originate along with a shoot bud. Such a bud with leaves and roots can give rise to a new plant. Bryophyllum