The fibrous root system is a true root system meaning they grow stems and leaves. Fibrous roots originated from growths off of the stem tissues of a plant; forming thin, moderately branching roots. A fibrous root system is universal in monocotyledonous plants and ferns. It is the most common type of root systems. [4] Unlike most root systems, fibrous root systems grow horizontally resulting in what looks like a mat made out of roots when the tree has reached full maturity. Because of the lack of depth fibrous roots reach they are only able to get food and water from the top layer of soil. This horizontal growth in plant with fibrous roots means that a typical mature tree 30–50 m tall has a root system that extends horizontally in all directions as far as the tree is tall or more, but well over 95% of the roots are in the top 50 cm depth of soil.

Structure of a fibrous roots

The basic structure of a fibrous root is very similar to that of a tap root. They are composed of vascular tissues, dermal cells, and ground cells. [1] The vascular tissues are the Xylem and Phloem that aid in the transfer of water, vitamin, and minerals. These tissues are very important to the transportation of things throughout the root system. There are three types of dermal cells that aid in the protection of the roots they are: guard cells, trichomes, and root hairs. [11] The guard cells regulate the things that goes in and out of the roots. [11] The trichomes look like root hair but help with lateral growth and protection of the plant. [11] Root hairs increase the surface area of the roots to increase absorption. [2] Another function the root hairs are responsible for is the regulation of things such as: vitamins, minerals, and water in and out of the roots. The cells responsible for this are called guard cells. [2] There are three types of ground tissue: parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. [2] In the fibrous roots the parenchyma is responsible for a lot of the primary growth. [2] The collenchyma is in the cell wall of plants and their roots are concentrated at the location of growing roots, stems, and the veins of leaves. [2] The Sclerenchyma is another type of cell found in the cell wall of plant roots that is waterproof, preventing the loss of water, and protects against fungi attacks. [2]

Fibrous root function

Like all root, the main function of these roots are to absorb all the water, minerals, and vitamins that the plant may need. There are guard dermal cells regulate what comes into the cells, and the Xylem and phloem transport the necessities to the rest of the plant. [2] Unlike tap roots, fibrous roots are very thin and appear to have less surface area than a tap root to take in its nutrients. Therefore, fibrous roots grow tons of these thin branches off the main roots. To survive, fibrous roots must increase their surface area, so they can provide all the nutrients the plant needs to live.

Advantages and disadvantages

Fibrous roots are one of three types of root systems that are said to be adventitious root systems. An advantageous root system is when the system is able to produce small root growths off any other part of the plant besides the main root. [3] This is helpful to the survival of the plant because it can basically grow roots out of any part of it to bring in more needed nutrients. It also helps in creating this mat like bundle of roots that brings us to a second advantage of fibrous roots, erosion control. [3] The mat of roots formed among the top layer of soil keeping the soil from eroding. This results in relatively rich soil in areas where there are a lot of plants with fibrous roots. A disadvantage of a fibrous root system is that because it is many small branches of root instead of one large one, it holds the plant less securely in place. [1] Compared to taproots, fibrous roots fall short in the ability of the plant to anchor deep into the soil, not allowing the plant to absorb water from deeper in the ground.

A few plants with fibrous root systems:

• Coconut palm [6]
• Grass
• Onion

My Sources 1. Bio.libretexts.org. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2017, from https://www.bing.com/ 2fbio.libretexts.org%2fsitemap.xml&p=DevEx,5038.1 2. Ground Tissue. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2017, from http://preuniversity.grkraj.org/html/3_PLANT_ANATOMY.htm 3. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2017, from http://facweb.furman.edu/~lthompson/bgy34/plantanatomy/plant_root.htm 4. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2017, from http://www.backyardnature.net/roottype.htm 5. Plant Root Types: Fibrous Root vs.Taproot System. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2017, from http://www.cropsreview.com/fibrous-root.html 6. Jump up ^ Thampan, P.K. (1981). Handbook on Coconut Palm. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. 7. Jump up ^ "The Advantages of the Fibrous Root & Taproot Systems". Retrieved 2016-12-02. 8. Jump up ^ Bareja, Ben G. (April 2011). "Taproot and Fibrous Root Systems, Specialized Roots". CropsReview.Com. 11. (n.d.). Retrieved December 08, 2017, from http://faculty.weber.edu/sharley/1203/anatomy.html