FORM AND STRUCTURE 
OF 
Roots, Stems, Leaves, FLowers, AND FRUIT 
ROOTS. 
THE root is that part of the plant axis which does not bear 
leaves. Normally it grows downward, is fixed in the soil and 
absorbs nourishment from the soil. True 
roots produce nothing but root branches 
and root hairs. 
Roots differ from stems in the following 
particulars. They are simpler in internal 
structure, very irregular in 
their mode of branching, 
never directly bear leaves, 
and their growing point is 
placed just back of the tip oie 
of the root. This tip is 
covered with a protecting cap called the root- 
cap and this may push its way without injury 
to the growing point. The root-hairs are 
found on the ultimate branches just back of 
the growing point; their function is to ab- 
sorb nutriment from the soil. (Fig. 1.) 
When the main root is simple or the 
branches are small, it is called a tap root. 
(Fig. 2.) 
When the main root divides very soon and is lost in its 
branches, the root is called fibrous. 
503 
Fic. 2.—Tap Root. 
