Question

Why does roots of lotus fibrous and short

Answer 1

The Lotus plant is an aquatic plant. This plant is an aquatic perennial. This is why it has fibrous and short roots. It has short roots because there is enough water in its environment while the fibrous roots allow it to float and gain buoyancy.

Tap roots are long which is meant to allow plants to go deep into the soil to access water but that is not necessary for the Lotus plant which has fibrous roots.  The aquatic environment of the Lotus plant has greatly contributed to its root type