Leaf epidermis is tightly packed, transparent, and nonphotosynthetic. Veins may be in either netted or parallel formation. Leaf ground tissue includes palisade and spongy mesophyll cells. Leaf modifications include tendrils, spines, bracts, storage leaves, insect-trapping leaves, and cotyledons. Leaves are shed from an abscission zone in response to environmental cues.
Roots absorb water and dissolved minerals.
A plant's first root is the radicle. Taproot systems have a large, persistent major root, whereas fibrous root systems are shallow, branched, and shorter-lived. A root cap protects the tip as an apical meristem replaces cells lost during rapid extension. This last zone includes root hairs, epidermis, and the cortex. The cortex consists of hypodermis, storage parenchyma, and endodermis.