Around 20% of plants have a second set of roots deep underground, new research shows.

A global analysis deep in soil found 20% of plants studied have an unexpected deeper set of roots more than 3 feet underground.

Our understanding of plant and tree roots may have been somewhat shallow. New research reveals many plants have a hidden second set of roots that extend far deeper into the soil.

According to a new study published June 17 in the journal Nature Communications, this second layer of roots extend over 3 feet (1 meter) down and enable the plant to access deeper soil nutrients.