Unlike animals that move about, trees are stationary.Why are trees immobile? It’s primarily due to their growth underneath the soil, which is known as roots. The roots keep the plants upright on the land.
Roots have two important tasks; first, they anchor the plant. Second, they absorb water and minerals from the soil. If you observe the structure of roots, you will be amazed to see how intricately they grow into the soil, often branching again and again. The roots are said to spread hundreds of feet through the soil in the case of some plants! Roots help a plant stay erect in the ground, and thus prevent it from being blown away in high wind.
The roots also absorb vital nutrients that are essential for the growth of the plant from the soil. Tiny hairs cover roots and they take in water and minerals from the soil. Some plants, such as carrots, radishes and turnips store starch and other food material in their roots. Do you know that many vegetables that you eat are enlarged roots? In some plants, the roots develop in an unusual way for some unusual functions, like the aerial roots of the banyan tree.
It is a popular misconception that the external size of plant corresponds to the size of the roots. The common pumpkin is the best example. A pumpkin is highly developed roots that can reach 25 kilometers! The roots of the birch can stretch to a length of more than 500 kilometers!
Picture Credit : Google
