Dicot Root:
- Dicot plants have the taproot system.
- The outermost layer is called the epidermis. The epidermal cells sometimes project out which appear as the root hairs.
- The epidermis is followed by the multi-layered cortex, loosely made of the parenchyma cells with intercellular spaces.
- The inner layer of the cortex is called endodermis, which is tightly packed by the barrel shaped-cells.
- Endodermis is followed by pericycle, which are a few layers of thick-walled parenchyma cells.
- In dicots, the central pith is not distinct.
- There are two to four xylem and phloem.
- The xylem and phloem are remarked by a layer of parenchymatous cells known as conjunctive tissue.
Monocot Root:
Monocot roots do not show much difference in the anatomy from that of the dicot roots.
- Monocot plants possess an adventitious root system.
- As in the dicots, the epidermis forms the outermost layer, followed by cortex, pericycle, endodermis, vascular bundles (xylem and phloem) and pith (random order).
- Pith is conspicuous and large.
- The number of xylem in a monocot is six or more.
- Secondary growth is not seen in the monocot plants.