Tap root

What is a tap root? A tap root is a swollen root which grows straight down into the soil from the base of the stem.

A tap root of a desert shrub.
The carrot, showing its orange tap root.

The carrot is a good example of a tap root. It is widest near the surface of the soil and tapers to a point as it grows deeper into the ground. Small side roots grow out from the tap root which do not become swollen.

The tap root is used by the plant to store food or water.

Video: parsnip.

Explore these further resources...

(These links take you to other parts of our web site, never to outside locations.)

You can search in these books:

You can look in this topic for more books, videos and teacher resources:

Jump to Plant toolkit screen
The toolkit screen link will take you to a library containing a selection of:
an i-topic, more books, pictures, videos and teacher's stuff related to the search word.
© Curriculum Visions 2021