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root
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eedlings Illustration comparing two root types: on the left, a grass plant with a dense network of thin fibrous roots, and on the right, a carrot plant with a single thick taproot and leafy greens above ground. Aerial roots Mangrove pneumatophores Root nodules Root and shoot apical meristems
How Do Plants Absorb Water and Nutrients?
A labeled diagram of a typical root cross section shows layers from the outside inward: root hairs, epidermis, cortex, endodermis, pericycle, and a central cylinder containing primary xylem and primary phloem. carrot Young fig tree seedling with several broad green leaves, a slender brown stem, and an exposed, branching root system.
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root: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Microbiome of root vegetables—a source of gluten-degrading bacteria. Jun 27, 2026
Deleted Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Microbiome of root vegetables—a source of gluten-degrading bacteria. Jun 27, 2026
Add new Web site: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension - Understanding Plant Roots (PDF). Sep 05, 2025
Added a cross-reference to pneumatophore. Jul 10, 2025
Add new Web site: Frontiers - Frontiers in Plant Science - Root systems biology. Jun 30, 2025
Cross-references added. Jan 23, 2025
Add new Web site: USDA Agricultural Research Service - Evolutionary Patterns and Biogeochemical Significance of Angiosperm Root Traits (PDF). Dec 16, 2024
Add new Web site: OpenStax - Biology 2e - Roots. Jun 24, 2024
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Microbiome of root vegetables—a source of gluten-degrading bacteria. Dec 01, 2023
Add new Web site: University of Minnesota Libraries - Roots. Oct 17, 2023
Added a cross-reference to adventitious root. Apr 26, 2023
Rearranged media. Mar 17, 2022
Add new Web site: Biology LibreTexts - Root. Nov 19, 2019
Add new Web site: Furman University - Plant Roots. Feb 14, 2019
Media added. Apr 13, 2018
Added information on specialized root types and their functions. Apr 13, 2018
Add new Web site: United States Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station - Root. Oct 18, 2016
Add new Web site: The University of Arizona - Arizona Master Gardener Manual - Roots. Oct 18, 2016
Added diagram of a cross section of a root and diagram of fibrous and tap roots. Aug 19, 2010
Added new Web site: The American Phytopathological Society - Lesson Plan on Plant Parts and Their Diseases. Feb 17, 2009
Added new Web site: The American Phytopathological Society - Lesson Plan on Plant Parts and Their Diseases. Feb 17, 2009
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Root. Feb 05, 2009
Added new Web site: Backyard Nature - Type of Roots. Apr 22, 2008
Added new Web site: Backyard Nature - Roots. Apr 22, 2008
Added new Web site: The University of Arizona - The Biology Project - Online Onion Root Tips.
  • Gaurav Shukla
 May 18, 2007
Added new Web site: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research - Roots.
  • Gaurav Shukla
 May 18, 2007
Article added to new online database. May 03, 1999
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