30 SOUTH AFRICAN BOTANY 
baceous dicotyledon. Here we have a fibrous tap root 
with slender branches produced in regular order. In 
other herbaceous dicotyledons the tap root is short and 
F 
Fig. 16.—Roots, 
A. Conical Rootof Carrot. B. Fusiform Root of Radish. C. Napiform 
Root of Turnip. D. Tuberous Root of Orchid. EH. Placentiform 
Root of Bulbine. F. Fasciculated Root of Dahlia, 
thick, and the lateral roots fibrous in character, This 
is characteristic of surface feeders. 
In many perennials the roots serve as storehouses for 
