Root Vegetables

Root vegetables include some of the most versatile vegetables that are rich in essential nutrients and easy to cook into a delicious meal. In the simplest sense of the term, root vegetables are the edible roots of various plants eaten as vegetables.

Table of Contents

The group includes true roots as well as corms, bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes, though the latter are not botanically considered roots but are modified stems. In a broader sense, root vegetables are plant parts, whether roots or stems, that work as carbohydrate storage organs.

Different root vegetables vary from each other based on the relative amount of sugars, starches, and other carbs, which often decide their taste and uses. Being the storage parts of plants, they also have a long shelf life.

List of Different Types of Root Vegetables

The list divides all the commonly known root vegetables based on whether they are true roots or modified stems.

True Root Vegetables

True roots can be of various types; the list here only includes the taproots and tuberous roots that are eaten as vegetables.

Taproots

Radish
Carrot
Beetroot
Parsnip
Daikon
Turnip
Burdock
Jicama
Rutabaga
Maca
Arracacha
Celeriac
Horseradish
Mangelwurzel
Black Salsify
Salsify
Bush Carrot (Bush Potato)
Murnong (Yam Daisy)
Parsley Root
Ahipa
Dandelion
Skirret

Tuberous Roots

Yam
Sweet Potato
Ube
Yacón
Cassava (Yuca Or Manioc)
Chinese Yam
Desert Yam
Pignut (Earthnut)
Mauka (Chago)
Prairie Turnip (Timpsula Or Breadroot)
Hornstedtia Scottiana (Scott’s Ginger)

Modified Stem

Corms

Taro
Arrowhead (Wapatoo)
Konjac
Chinese Water Chestnut
Elephant’s Ears (And other plants in the Xanthosoma genus)
Bracken
Waterlily
Typha
Enset
Eddoe (Japanese Potato)

Bulbs

Onion
Garlic
Fennel Bulb
Common Camas

Rhizomes

Turmeric
Ginseng
Ginger
Galangal
Arrowroot
Arthropodium Plants (E.g. vanilla lily, rengarenga)
Canna
Lotus Root
Ti
Typha (Cattail Or Bulrush)

Tubers

Potato
Oca (New Zealand Yam)
Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke)
Chinese Artichoke (Crosne)
Mashua
Tigernut (Chufa)
Hog Potato
Ulluco
Earthnut Pea (Tuberous Pea)
Chinese Potato (Kembili)
Daylily Tuber

FAQ

What are a few examples of tropical root vegetables?

Cassava, taro, sweet potato, and yam are the best-known examples of root vegetables originating from warm and humid tropical regions.

Are there any bitter root vegetables?

Rutabaga is a common root vegetable with a slightly bitter taste. Other examples include burdock and dandelion roots. The strong, earthy, and pungent flavor of dandelion root makes it a good coffee substitute.