Re: What kind of root does a carrot have?Why is the root so big?

Carrot has a tap root with a major storage function so is also considered a
storage root. Carrot (Daucus carota) is a biennial plant. It grows from seed the
first year, overwinters and blooms, sets seed and dies the second year. It uses
the nutrients in the storage root to grow and flower the second year. The carrot
roots we eat are harvested after one season of growth.

Plant breeders have breed and selected for large carrot roots. Wild carrot, also
know as Queen Anne's lace, is a weed in most of the U.S. and has smaller storage
roots than cultivated carrot.

References


Wild carrot (Daucus carota)


Daucus carota


Root types