Features of Flowering Plants - Roots Roots Roots, the lower, underground part of a plant are characterized by their lack of leaves. They are the structures that function to take up water, nutriments and minerals from the soil. The primary root is the main axis of a root system. Mostly, it bears thinner side-roots. Special types of primary roots are tap roots or turnips.
Adventitious roots are roots originating directly from the stem.
The most striking morphological feature of roots is their lack of leaves. Roots are organized into primary roots and side-roots . The latter may develop a frequently branched and extensive root system. Among the prominent types of roots are the tap roots where the primary root is dominant while the side-roots are hardly developed at all. The primary root goes deep into the soil.