A fibrous root system (sometimes also called adventitious root system) is the opposite of a tap root system. It is usually formed by thin and moderately branching roots, growing from the stem.
A fibrous root system is universal in monocotyledonous plants and ferns, and is also common in dicotyledonous plants.
Most trees begin life with a taproot, but after one to a few years change to a wide-spreading fibrous root system with mainly horizontal surface roots and only a few vertical, deep anchoring roots. A typical mature tree 30-50 m tall has a root system that extends horizontally in all directions as far as the tree is tall or more, but well over 95% of the roots are in the top 50 cm depth of soil.
A few plants with fibrous root systems:
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