What is a Tap Root?
A tap root is a specific type of root structure present on some plants, which is typified by being rather large, and going directly down into the ground. The tap root has other roots growing off of it as it descends, acting as a sort of trunk beneath the ground. Plants with a tap root can be contrasted with plants that have a fibrous root system. There are a number of ways in which a tap root can be beneficial to a plant. One of the most important is that it allows the plant to reach down quite far to find water to sustain itself. In drier climates, or areas where water tends to run deep, this can be incredibly useful. Indeed, many desert plants have incredibly well-developed tap root systems, allowing them to survive in even the most arid of climates. Mesquites, for example, have adapted to survive in the Mojave Desert, and so have come up with many biological tools to help them reach and conserve water, including a tap root that can reach lengths of more than 80 feet (25m). In many p
