About Rhizomes
Rhizomes have been a part of natural medicine and in culinary use for centuries. Some of rhizomes that have been used as botanical remedies include ginger, turmeric, fingerroot and galangal.
A rhizome is a modified stem that travels horizontally under the surface of the ground. It is divided into segments that can produce new plants from nodes where the segments join. Rhizomes are starchy and store nutrients for the plant. Other names for rhizomes are creeping rootstalks and rootstocks.
In botanical terminology, a rhizome is a modified stem that grows horizontally below the ground or just above the soil surface. It is an underground stem that typically functions in vegetative reproduction, nutrient storage, and anchoring of certain plants. Rhizomes are commonly found in various plant species, including ferns, grasses, and many flowering plants.
Rhizomes have several distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other types of stems. These features include:
Growth Habit: Rhizomes grow horizontally and can extend over a considerable distance underground. They often produce new shoots, leaves, and roots at various intervals along their length.
Stem Structure: Rhizomes resemble stems in their internal structure. They possess nodes, where leaves and roots can emerge, and internodes, which are the spaces between the nodes.
Adventitious Roots: Rhizomes give rise to adventitious roots, which emerge from the nodes. These roots anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
Buds: Rhizomes contain dormant buds at the nodes, which can develop into new shoots and leaves under favorable conditions. These buds contribute to the vegetative propagation of plants through rhizomes.
Nutrient Storage: Many plants store carbohydrates and other nutrients in their rhizomes. This nutrient storage allows the plant to survive adverse conditions and provides resources for new growth and development.
Reproductive Function: Rhizomes play a crucial role in vegetative reproduction. They can give rise to new plants by producing daughter plants at the nodes or through the formation of offshoots or "rhizome branches."
Rhizomes exhibit a wide range of adaptations and functions across different plant species. For example, in some grasses, rhizomes help the plant spread horizontally, forming dense patches or sod. In other plants, such as ginger and turmeric, rhizomes are valued for their culinary and medicinal uses.
The ability of rhizomes to produce new shoots and roots allows plants to spread, colonize new areas, and survive unfavorable conditions. This adaptive strategy is particularly advantageous in environments with disturbances, such as fire-prone ecosystems.
In summary, a rhizome is an underground or above-ground horizontal stem found in certain plant species. It serves multiple functions, including vegetative reproduction, nutrient storage, and anchorage, contributing to the survival and expansion of plants in diverse habitats.
Examples of Rhizomes which we offer are:
Parts of a Rhizome
Rhizome Body - Stores sugars and nutrients for the plant
Adventitious Roots – Transport water and nutrients to the rhizomes
 |
 |
 |
© 1stChineseHerbs.com 2016
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome
Image source: http://rbhs-sbi3u03.wikispaces.com/Asexual+Reproduction
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Euphorbia_rhizophora2_ies.jpg
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-ii/reproduction/asexual-reproductions.php
This image was found in a search for an image licensed for reuse on 3-28-2016