Roots- Morphology of Flowering plants

Roots- Morphology of Flowering Plants

The term Morphology is derived from Greek words: morphe– forms and logos– study

Morphology is the branch of biological science that deals with the study of the form, size, shape, color, and external structure of organisms.

In flowering plants is large diversity is found in external structure or morphology these are mostly differentiated into the root system (underground) and shoot system (aerial).

The root system consists of roots and their branches while the shoot system consists of stems, branches, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits.

Parts of flowering plant

The Root

The root is generally non-green, underground, hydrophytic, and positively geotropic. it is a negatively phototropic and descending cylindrical axis of a plant that develops from the radicle of the embryo.

These provide anchorage for the plant, taking in water and nutrients which help the plant to grow.

Structure of Roots

Generally, the roots of plants divided into three main regions

1. Region of Maturation
2. Region of Elongation
3. Region of Meristematic Activity- A few millimeters above the root cap

structure of root

The root is covered at the apex by a thimble-like structure called the root cap. Its main function is to protect the tender apex of the root that makes its way through the soil. Region of meristematic activities found above root cap.

The region of elongation is found at the place where the newly formed cells increase in length and by this the lengthening or elongation or the root takes place.

from the region of maturation epidermal cells form very fine and delicate, thread-like structures called root hairs. These root hairs absorb water and minerals from the soil.

Type of root system

The main functions of the root system are the absorption of water and minerals from the soil, providing a proper anchorage to the plant parts, storing reserve food material, and synthesizing plant growth regulators.

• Formation of the primary root by the direct elongation of radicle in most dicotyledonous plants. It grows inside the soil. It bears lateral roots of several orders that are referred to as secondary, tertiary, etc. roots.
• The primary roots and their branches constitute the tap root system, as seen in the mustard plant.
• There are short-lived primary roots found in monocot plants, which are replaced by a large number of roots that originate from the base of the stem and constitute the fibrous root system, as seen in the wheat plant.
• The roots arise from parts of the plant other than the radicle and are called adventitious roots. In some plants, like grass, Monstera, and the banyan tree.

Modifications of Roots

Modification of roots

You can also read:

• Biological classification
• Plant kingdom – The Algae
• Bryophytes
• Pteridophytes
• Gymnosperms
• Angiosperms