Theroot cap is a type of tissue at the tip of a plantroot.[1] It is also calledcalyptra. Root caps containstatocytes which are involved ingravity perception in plants.[1] If the cap is carefully removed the root will grow randomly. The root cap protects thegrowing tip in plants.[1] It secretesmucilage to ease the movement of the root through soil,[1] and may also be involved in communication with the soil microbiota.[1]
The purpose of the root cap is to enable downward growth of the root, with the root cap covering the sensitive tissue in the root.[2] Thanks to the presence ofstatocytes, the root cap enables geoperception or gravitropism. This allows the plant to grow downwards (with gravity) or upwards (against gravity).[3]
The root cap is absent in some parasitic plants[4]: 138 and someaquatic plants, in which a sac-like structure called theroot pocket may form instead.[5]: 2–76
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