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What is a Tap Root?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

A tap root is a specific type of root structure present on some plants, which is typified by being rather large, and going directly down into the ground. This structure has other roots growing off of it as it descends, acting as a sort of trunk beneath the ground. Plants with tap roots can be contrasted with plants that have a fibrous root system.

There are a number of ways in which a tap root can be beneficial to a plant. One of the most important is that it allows the plant to reach down quite far to find water to sustain itself. In drier climates, or areas where water tends to run deep, this can be incredibly useful. Indeed, many desert plants have incredibly well-developed tap root systems, allowing them to survive in even the most arid of climates. Mesquites, for example, have adapted to survive in the Mojave Desert, and so have come up with many biological tools to help them reach and conserve water, including tap roots that can reach lengths of more than 80 feet (25m).

Carrots are commonly-eaten tap roots.
Carrots are commonly-eaten tap roots.

In many plants, this root structure may also function as a reservoir for food and water. It can grow very wide, and remain relatively protected underground, allowing the plant to save up energy for times when it may need it, such as when producing seeds. Many plants that use their tap root as a source of food are also eaten by humans, and the so-called root vegetables are generally plants with this type of root structure. Carrots, turnips, radishes, parsnips, jicama and burdock are all examples of commonly-eaten plants where the main part of the plant eaten is the tap root itself.

Jicama is a tap root.
Jicama is a tap root.

Generally these foods are not only quite nourishing, but are also extremely wet, because of the excess water the plant has been storing in them. It’s not difficult to imagine any of the examples above as being essentially water storage units. In fact, some plants, like jicama, seem to be almost like forms of solid water, the water content is so high.

Burdock is one example of a plant where the tap root itself is eaten.
Burdock is one example of a plant where the tap root itself is eaten.

Both a tap root system and a fibrous root system start as the same sort of root, and change a bit into the plant’s development. The first root that a plant sends out is called a radicle. In a tap root system, the radicle continues to push downwards and grow out, while sending out occasional small branches. In some cases these branches will scarcely be visible at all, as anyone who’s seen a carrot or turnip fresh from the ground knows. In a fibrous root system, on the other hand, the radicle will eventually fall away, to be replaced by a web of smaller roots.

The radish's tap root is eaten.
The radish's tap root is eaten.

Because of the size and depth of tap roots, plants that have them can be particularly difficult to get out of the ground. Transplanting plants with this type of root is notoriously more difficult than plants with a fibrous root system, and in many cases is almost impossible. Fully eliminating plants with a tap root can be difficult as well, because pulling up the entire root system may not be feasible. This is often seen with dandelions, which have very long and hardy tap roots. People quickly notice that when trying to pull dandelions up to remove them from a garden, they seem to grow back year after year. This is because a part of the root has remained in the ground, and a new plant eventually grows from it.

Discussion Comments

anon124139

Thank you so much. I've learned so much about tap roots. At first I thought it was just an old root, but today I have learned it is much more then that. Once again, thank you.

musicshaman

For all that people complain about fibrous roots and tap roots, I think it's important to remember how they contribute to the soil -- and our stomachs! -- as well.

Those dandelion tap roots may drive you crazy, but I bet you enjoy your carrots and radishes (or similar root vegetables).

And although fibrous roots can totally knot up your yard, without good fibrous root systems, soil erosion would be an even bigger problem than it is today.

So next time you're cursing that quack grass or batch of dandelions, just remember -- it could be worse.

galen84basc

I really know what you're talking about dealing with weeds over and over again because you can't get to the taproot.

There's a patch of dandelions in my yard that I end up weeding out every single year, because try as I might, I can never get the tap root all the way.

I've tried everything I can think of, even going so far as to dig up that part of the yard, but I end up dealing with the same taproot again and again.

Now I've just resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to have to weed that patch every few months -- after battling it for so many years, I've just given up. My sympathies to anybody with similar tap root issues.

Charlie89

So what can I do about a taproot near my foundation? I have a tree that has been in my yard for years and years, and I recently found out that it is starting to grow near my foundation.

I don't want to get rid of the tree, but I'm afraid that the taproot will eventually start damaging the foundation of my house, and definitely don't want that to happen.

Is there any way that I can cap the root, or somehow make it grow away from my house?

Does anybody reading this have any landscaping smarts, or know what I can do about a situation like this?

Thanks in advance for any help or input!

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    • Carrots are commonly-eaten tap roots.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Carrots are commonly-eaten tap roots.
    • Jicama is a tap root.
      Jicama is a tap root.
    • Burdock is one example of a plant where the tap root itself is eaten.
      By: suppakij1017
      Burdock is one example of a plant where the tap root itself is eaten.
    • The radish's tap root is eaten.
      By: mates
      The radish's tap root is eaten.
    • Many desert plants have incredibly well-developed tap roots.
      By: george kuna
      Many desert plants have incredibly well-developed tap roots.
    • The turnip is an example of a commonly-eaten plant where the main part of the plant is the tap root itself.
      By: Barbro Bergfeldt
      The turnip is an example of a commonly-eaten plant where the main part of the plant is the tap root itself.