Is a potato a root

Answer 1

Though potatoes grow underground, they are actually modified underground stems and NOT roots.

To understand how a stem differs from root, take stem of any plant, you can see lateral buds and leaves growing out of the stem at some points called nodes. The regions between two successive nodes is called internodes. Internodes provide height to the plant. Unlike stems and branches, roots don't have a node/internode pattern of construction.

In a potato tuber also, there are small depressions or eyes, which are actually nodes. They contain buds from where new potato plants can grow.

When these buds are exposed to warm and moist conditions, they start sprouting. You can actually plant these sprouted potatoes in ground and soon they will grow into plants.

If you dig potato plants, you can clearly see that potatoes tubers are connected to the stem using stolons. Root system is separate from the stolons.

I have made a complete video explaining this on my educational channel - The Science Girl, you can check that for thorough understanding.

Answer 2

A potato is a stem, not a root. It is a tuber, which is a thickened stem. Do not be fooled by the fact that it is underground.

Answer 3

No- it is a stem. People who say it is a root do not know what they are talking about. is potato a underground stem?