Roots

• Roots differ from plant to plant. Most monocots, a flowering plant with a single seed leaf, have a fibrous root system, which consists of the development of numerous roots of the same size at the end of the stem with off-branching lateral roots. Fibrous plants include onions and grasses. The fibrous root system of some plants is edible, such as the sweet potato, which is a fleshy part of the root system.
  
  

Monocots

• Most monocot plants possess fibrous root systems and are referred to as fibrous plants. The fibrous root system of a monocot plant consists of a mass of what is called fine hair roots that clump together. It starts out with a primary root stem that develops numerous branches, which, in turn, develop more branches until it becomes a mass of fine root tendrils. Monocots are generally flowering plants.
  
  

Fibrous Plants

• The roots of fibrous plants generally stay close to the surface of the soil and gather nutrients before the moisture and minerals sink deeper into the ground. The fibrous root system on some plants is replaced by roots that form on areas other than preexisting roots and are then referred to as adventitious because the roots are not considered intrinsic but rather are formed on unexpected sources. This type of fibrous plant is often used as a deterrent to erosion.
  
  

Fibrous Begonia

• The wax or fibrous begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) is an annual with a fibrous root system. It prefers partial sun to full shade and matures at about 6 to 15 inches in height and width. The fibrous begonia is drought and heat tolerant and does well in a fertile, well-drained, moist soil. Foliage is thick, succulent and glossy and can be brown, bronze, green, burgundy or dark red in color. Blooms are monoecious, both male and female flowers, with a double or single corolla. Colors range from solid white to shades of pink and red.