62 COLLEGE BOTANY 



plants produce adventitious root buds in great abundance, which 

 are important factors in reproduction. The root of the sweet 

 potato produces great numbers of buds, which give rise to the 

 slips, or small plants which are used for setting. Some trees, 



Fia. 39. Corn plants showing the aerial roots. 



especially the poplars, produce buds and shoots from the roots 

 and are sometimes very troublesome. 



Functions of Roots. The primary function of roots is no 

 doubt the absorption of water and the mineral food materials 

 that are dissolved in it. The most important secondary func- 

 tions are for anchorage in the soil or attachment to other objects, 

 for storage (Figs. 36 and 37) and for climbing (Fig. 38). The 

 roots of most, if not all, plants serve to a greater or less degree 

 for storage, but this function is especially evident in the fleshy 

 roots of such plants as the sweet potato, carrot, parsnip, radish, 

 turnip and beet. The fleshy roots may be the conical, which are 



