Fibrous Root Systems
Costco's membership model represents fibrous root strategy: broad distribution of relationships across millions of members rather than deep specialization.
Fibrous root systems (grasses, many vegetables, bamboo): No dominant root. Instead, a dense mat of thin roots spreads laterally, concentrating in the top 15-30 centimeters of soil where organic matter accumulates.
Grass roots might only go 20-30 centimeters deep, but they spread laterally 2-3 meters, creating a dense mesh. A single rye plant can have 14 million roots with 10 billion root hairs, totaling 600 kilometers of root length. All within the top meter of soil.
Fibrous root advantages: Rapid establishment. Efficient nutrient capture from topsoil. Rapid water absorption from light rains. High resilience - damage to any single root doesn't kill the plant.
Fibrous root disadvantages: Vulnerable to drought (no access to deep water). Vulnerable to erosion. Can't anchor tall structures.
Business Application of Fibrous Root Systems
Costco's membership model represents fibrous root strategy: broad distribution of relationships across millions of members rather than deep specialization. Creates resilience through redundancy - no single customer relationship is critical.