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[Image:Primary and secondary cotton roots.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Primary and secondary roots in a cotton plant]]

[[Image:Primary and secondary cotton roots.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Primary and secondary roots in a cotton plant]]

In [[vascular plant]]s, the '''root''' is that organ of a [[plant]] body that typically lies below the surface of the [[soil]] (compare with [[plant stem|stem]]). However, this is not always the case, since a root can also be [[aerial root|'''aerial''']] (that is, growing above the ground) or '''aerating''' (that is, growing up above the ground or especially above water). On the other hand, a stem normally occurring below ground is not exceptional either (see [[rhizome]]). So, it is better to define ''root'' as a part of a plant body that bears no leaves, and therefore also lacks [[Node (botany)|nodes]]. There are also important internal structural differences between stems and roots. The two major functions of roots are 1) absorption of water and inorganic nutrients and 2) anchoring the plant body to the ground. Roots also function in [[cytokinin]] synthesis, which supplies some of shoot needs. They often function in storage of food.

In [[vascular plant]]s, the '''root''' is that organ of a [[plant]] body that typically lies below the surface of the [[soil]] (compare with [[plant stem|stem]]). However, this is not always the case, since a root can also be [[aerial root|'''aerial''']] (that is, growing above the ground) or '''aerating''' (that is, growing up above the ground or especially above water). On the other hand, a stem normally occurring below ground is not exceptional either (see [[rhizome]]). So, it is better to define ''root'' as a part of a plant body that bears no leaves, and therefore also lacks [[Node (botany)|nodes]]. There are also important internal structural differences between stems and roots. The two major functions of roots are 1) absorption of water and inorganic nutrients and 2) anchoring the plant body to the ground. Roots also function in [[cytokinin]] synthesis, which supplies some of shoot needs. They often function in storage of food.

==Economic importance==

==Economic importance==

The term [[root crop]]s refers to any edible underground plant structure, but many root crops are actually stems, such as [[potato]] tubers. Edible roots include [[cassava]], [[sweet potato]], [[beet]], [[carrot]], [[rutabaga]], [[turnip]], [[parsnip]], [[radish]], [[yam]] and [[horseradish]]. Spices obtained from roots include [[sassafras]],

The term [[root crop]]s refers to any edible underground plant structure, but many root crops are actually stems, such as [[potato]] tubers. Edible roots include [[cassava]], [[sweet potato]], [[beet]], [[carrot]], [[rutabaga]], [[turnip]], [[parsnip]], [[radish]], [[yam]] and [[horseradish]]. Spices obtained from roots include [[sassafras]],[[angelica]], [[sasparilla]] and [[licorice]].

[[angelica]], [[sasparilla]] and [[licorice]].

[[Sugar beet]] is an important source of sugar. [[Yam]] roots are a source of estrogen compounds used in birth control pills. The fish poison and insecticide [[rotenone]] is obtained from roots of ''Lonchocarpus'' spp. Important medicines from roots are [[ginseng]], [[aconite]], [[Syrup of ipecac|ipecac]], [[gentian]] and [[reserpine]]. Several legumes that have nitrogen-fixing root nodules are used as green manure crops, which provide nitrogen fertilizer for other crops when plowed under. Specialized [[bald cypress]] roots, termed knees, are sold as souvenirs, lamp bases and carved into folk art. Native Americans used the flexible roots of [[white spruce]] for basketry.

[[Sugar beet]] is an important source of sugar. [[Yam]] roots are a source of estrogen compounds used in birth control pills. The fish poison and insecticide [[rotenone]] is obtained from roots of ''Lonchocarpus'' spp. Important medicines from roots are [[ginseng]], [[aconite]], [[Syrup of ipecac|ipecac]], [[gentian]] and [[reserpine]]. Several legumes that have nitrogen-fixing root nodules are used as green manure crops, which provide nitrogen fertilizer for other crops when plowed under. Specialized [[bald cypress]] roots, termed knees, are sold as souvenirs, lamp bases and carved into folk art. Native Americans used the flexible roots of [[white spruce]] for basketry.