Posted: May 22nd, 2023

Cyperaceae species have their dauciform roots mainly composed

Cyperaceae species have their dauciform roots mainly composed of carrot-like structures which attain a lateral swelling. These carrot-like modifications are further characterized by “rather ephemeral, dense clusters of long root hairs” (Miller, 2005, p. 655). Dauciform root modifications are known to thrive in soils that have a low supply of phosphorus. In fact, low phosphorus and nitrogen supply in soils initiates the formation of these structures; with increase in supply of phosphorus and nitrogen leading to suppression in dauciform root formation. The Rhynchosporeae tribe of the Cyperaceae is particularly known to adapt to low phosphorus and nitrogen soils by forming dauciform roots. With the long and dense root hairs (which are also fine in nature), these plants are able to scavenge for the scarce soil phosphorus thus suitably adapting Cyperaceae to phosphorus-poor soils.