Specialised Roots: Introduction
Many plant species develop specialized roots which enhance nutrient uptake.
Specialised roots are extremely common in plant communities on nutrient-poor soils (such as this heathland)
but they occur across a wide range of plant groups, plant communities, and soil types.
Specialised roots are typically small and are most common in the upper soil horizons, where organic matter and available nutrients are concentrated.
Most (if not all) plant species in coastal heathlands such as this one develop specialised roots. These include mycorrhizae (e.g. tea-tree - Leptospermum), proteoid roots (e.g. Banksia), other types of cluster roots and N-fixing root nodules (e.g. peas and wattles - Acacia).