Taproot: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

A plant's taproot is a straight tapering root that grows vertically down. It forms a center from which other roots sprout.

Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant.

The taproot is why dandelions are hard to uproot — the top is pulled, but the long taproot stays in the ground, and re-sprouts.

A taproot contrasts to a fibrous root, with many branched roots.

Some plants with taproots:

• Carrot
• Dandelion
• Nut
• Parsnip
• Patterson's Curse
• Poppy mallow
• Radish
• Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir
• Turnip
• Welwitschia