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==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]].
[[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.
