Gyökérszár

Gyökérszár is a botanical term used in Hungarian to describe the part of a plant that links the root system to the shoot system. In many species it is an underground, stem-like organ that can store nutrients and produce buds. The precise meaning varies by context, but it commonly refers to subterranean stems such as rhizomes or rootstocks that originate near the base of the plant.

Origin and structure: A gyökérszár typically develops at or just above the root–stem junction. It contains vascular tissue arranged similarly to stems (xylem and phloem) and, if it is rhizome-like, shows nodes and internodes from which roots or shoots can arise. In some horticultural uses, the term also denotes a rootstock on which another cultivar is grafted.

Functions and ecological role: Gyökérszárs serve storage of carbohydrates, enabling perennation and vegetative propagation. They can anchor the plant and help it spread in the soil, and they may give rise to new shoots under favorable conditions or after damage to the above-ground parts.

Examples and usage: Rhizomes in plants such as iris and ginger are classic examples of underground gyökérszár. In horticulture, the rootstock of a grafted tree or vine is sometimes referred to as gyökérszár. The term emphasizes stem-like properties of an organ with a root origin, rather than a true root.

Comparison: Gyökérszár is distinct from true roots, which typically lack buds and nodes, and from above-ground stems. It overlaps with concepts such as rhizomes, rootstocks, and tuberous roots in practice.