A dimorphic root system is a plant

root In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often below the su ...

system with two distinct root forms, which are adapted to perform different functions. One of the most common manifestations is in plants with both a

taproot A taproot is a large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally. Typically a taproot is somewhat straight and very thick, is tapering in shape, and grows directly downward. In some plants, such as the carrot, the taproo ...

, which grows straight down to the water table, from which it obtains water for the plant; and a system of

lateral roots Lateral roots, emerging from the pericycle (meristematic tissue), extend horizontally from the primary root (radicle) and over time makeup the iconic branching pattern of root systems. They contribute to anchoring the plant securely into the soil, ...

, which obtain nutrients from superficial soil layers near the surface. Many plants with dimorphic root systems adapt the levels of rainfall in the surrounding area, growing many surface roots when there is heavy rainfall, and relying on a taproot when rain is scarce. Because of their adaptability to water levels in the surrounding area, most plants with dimorphic root systems live in arid climates with common wet and dry periods.

References

Plant roots {{botany-stub