Rhizomi
Rhizomi, the plural form of rhizome, refer to a type of underground stem that grows horizontally and functions in storage and vegetative propagation for many plants. A rhizome typically lies beneath the soil or just at the surface, with nodes along its length that produce roots downward and shoots upward. The segments between nodes are called internodes. Rhizomes store carbohydrates and other nutrients, helping plants survive adverse seasons and providing a means to spread laterally.
Rhizomi vary in form. Some are slender and spreading (leptomorph), forming extensive networks that quickly occupy
Rhizomi are distinct from related structures. They differ from stolons (aboveground runners that produce new plants
Ecologically and economically, rhizomi support perennial life, enable vegetative spread, and can influence ecosystem dynamics. In