a. [T]he reins of their (Moors) horses were as fire, their faces black as pitch, their eyes shone like burning candles, their horses were swift as leopards and the riders fiercer than a wolf in a sheepfold at night . . .
Appearance. A taproot has a main root, similar in appearance to a carrot, which is also a taproot. In most cases, smaller, auxiliary roots grow laterally all along the main taproot. A fibrous root system is a mass of small roots, with an appearance of a mass of fibers. It can resemble a bird's nest or a ball of yarn. The roots are typically only a few inches long and branch frequently, similar to the canopy of a tree.
Fibrous Root System: Characterized by having a mass of similarly sized roots. In this case the radicle from a germinating seed is short lived and is replaced by adventitious roots. Adventitious roots are roots that form on plant organs other than roots. Most monocots have fibrous root systems. Some fibrous roots are used as storage; for example sweet potatoes form on fibrous roots. Plants with fibrous roots systems are excellent for erosion control, because the mass of roots cling to soil particles. Top of Page. Root Structures and Their Functions: Root Tip: the end 1 cm of a root contains young tissues that are divided into the root cap, quiescent center, and the subapical region. Root Cap: root tips are