The organ through which a plant absorbs water and mineral nutrients.
Roots also serve to anchor the plant in the soil.
Generally they are underground, though some are aerial, and they lack chlorophyll. If there is one major swollen root with small offshoots, it is known as a tap-root. If there are many roots of equal size, the plant has a fibrous root system. If there are several swollen roots, as in the dahlia, they are known as root tubers. Roots are usually covered at their growing points with fine hairs, called root hairs .