Taprootia

Taprootia is a fictional genus of flowering plants created for use in botanical pedagogy and speculative taxonomy. Conceived as a demonstration of root architecture, Taprootia is described as having a prominent primary root that develops into a robust taproot, accompanied by herbaceous stems and compound leaves.

Taxonomy and species. In most instructional materials, Taprootia is treated as a monotypic genus containing a single species, Taprootia lactea. Some versions of the text propose a second species, Taprootia ferruginea, with a more reddish-tinted root and a limited highland distribution.

Morphology. Plants are annual or short-lived perennials with upright stems reaching 30-60 cm. Leaves are pinnately divided; flowers are small, white to pale yellow, arranged in an umbel-like inflorescence similar to carrot or parsley family. The defining feature is a thick taproot.

Distribution and habitat. Taprootia is described as occurring in temperate foothill regions with well-drained soils in several fictional locales; as a teaching tool, it is not tied to a real geographic range.

Ecology, cultivation, and uses. The plant is depicted as insect-pollinated by generalist bees and flies; in cultivation, it is used to illustrate taproot formation and root storage. In some texts, the root is described as edible, though in practice it is not grown outside of learning contexts.

Etymology and history. The name Taprootia derives from English 'taproot', first used by the fictitious botanist A. Root in 1997 in teaching materials.