Taproot Systems
Slow to establish but nearly impossible to displace once rooted.
Taproot systems (carrots, dandelions, oaks, pines): One dominant central root drives straight down, often to depths equal to or greater than the plant's height. Secondary lateral roots branch off but the taproot dominates.
A mature oak's taproot can reach 4-7 meters deep depending on species and soil conditions - often deeper than the tree is tall for the first decade of growth. A mesquite tree in the Sonoran Desert sent its taproot down 53 meters (175 feet) to reach a permanent water table.
Taproot advantages: Access to deep water during drought. Mineral access from deep soil layers. Structural anchoring against wind. Can survive surface fires that kill shallow-rooted competitors.
Taproot disadvantages: Slow to establish (must push deep before growing tall). Can't exploit surface nutrients efficiently. Vulnerable if taproot is severed - the plant often dies.
Business Application of Taproot Systems
Companies like Novo Nordisk (100 years in diabetes) and TSMC (20 years in foundry) exemplify taproot strategy: deep specialization in one domain that creates advantages competitors cannot replicate. Slow to establish but nearly impossible to displace once rooted.