Plants Why do Plants Need Roots & Stems? How Roots Help Plants The root system of a plant is often found below the ground where you cant see it. Roots take in water and materials called minerals from the soil. The roots also store food made by the plant. Taproots Many plants such as carrots and dandelions have a large root called a taproot. The taproot grows deep into the soil. A taproot stores food for the plant. Have you ever tasted a carrot or a beet? If YES! Then you have eaten the taproot of a PLANT! Roots that we eat Beet Radish Carrot Turnip At the tips of roots are tiny root hairs. Plants take in water through their root hairs. Water travels through the root hairs and into the plants stem and leaves. The roots must take in water to replace water lost from the plants leaves. Sunshine and hot air can dry a plant out! How Stems Help Plants A plants stems hold up its leaves, flowers, and fruits. Most stems have tubes that move water and minerals from the roots of plants to the leaves. Other tubes carry food from the leaves of plants to the stems and roots. Stolons Some stems are called stolons and are thin and grow along the surface of the ground. These stems can grow roots and a new plant. Vines Some stems called vines grow parts that wrap around objects that support the plant. Cactus Cactus stems swell up as they store water. Cactus stems shrink as the plant uses water. Cactus stems have a thick, waxy covering to help keep them from losing water. This helps them survive in the desert. Cactus Underground Stems Some stems grow underground. When you eat a potato, you eat a stem part that stored food underground. Underground stems can sprout new stems from buds. These buds grow upward and become new plants. Special Features Some stems have special features that offer them protection. For example thorns, spines, or stinging hairs to keep hungry animals from eating them. Special Features