Roots carry out vital jobs for all flowering plants, they collect water and nutrients and help to hold plants in place. This book provides readers with a complete and comprehensive understanding of the role of roots, their structure and how they are brilliantly designed to do these jobs. Clear diagrams, engaging text, and stunning photographs are used to explain how strong roots can be, how they work, what happens inside a root, how some roots can be used to store food, how new roots are formed and grow, root variation, and our relationship with roots. A wide range of examples present readers with roots they will be familiar with plus spectacular and unusual examples from around the world. These demonstrate what roots have in common and some incredible adaptations that allow plants to survive in different conditions and habitats. Two simple experiments help stimulate thought, reinforce learning, and bring the concepts to life.