The usually underground portions of a plant that serve as support, store food, and through which water and mineral nutrients enter the plant. (From American Heritage Dictionary, 1982; Concise Dictionary of Biology, 1990)
    

concept

Mandrake roots in human form; the mandrake plant; ginseng. Engraving.

Screwpines (Pandanus species) covered with climbing plants, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Wood engraving, c. 1867, after C. Whymper.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.): flowering stem with separate leaf and rootstock. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1774.

Two entire flowering plants, a yellow crocus (Crocus species) and a herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). Colour nature print by A. Auer, c. 1853.

Bunium bulbocastanum L.: entire flowering and fruiting plant with separate flower, fruit and seed. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1778.

Peruvian rhatany (Krameria triandra): flowering and fruiting plant with roots and fruit segments. Coloured lithograph after M. A. Burnett, c. 1843.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

Please note, our Changing Places toilet is currently out of service and undergoing repair works.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Roots (Botany)

Images

Catalogue

Screwpines (Pandanus species) covered with climbing plants, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Wood engraving, c. 1867, after C. Whymper.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.): flowering stem with separate leaf and rootstock. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1774.

Two entire flowering plants, a yellow crocus (Crocus species) and a herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). Colour nature print by A. Auer, c. 1853.

Bunium bulbocastanum L.: entire flowering and fruiting plant with separate flower, fruit and seed. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1778.

Peruvian rhatany (Krameria triandra): flowering and fruiting plant with roots and fruit segments. Coloured lithograph after M. A. Burnett, c. 1843.