rhizal

Rhizal is an adjective used in biology to describe features related to roots or rhizomes. The term derives from the Greek rhiza, meaning root, and is applied in various botanical and mycological contexts to distinguish root- or rhizome-associated characteristics from other plant parts.

In botany, rhizal describes growth patterns, structures, or functions connected with subterranean root systems or rhizomes. For example, rhizal propagation refers to the spread of a plant via underground stems that produce new shoots and roots at nodes, enabling perennial growth and clonal expansion. Rhizal storage denotes carbohydrate or nutrient storage within rhizomes that supports survival and regrowth after disturbance. The term helps differentiate root- or rhizome-related traits from those of aboveground shoots.

In mycology and plant–fungus interactions, rhizal usage can describe root-associated features of fungi or fungi that live in close contact with plant roots. Some fungi form networks or tissues that interact with roots in ways described as rhizal, contributing to nutrient exchange or root health. A related concept is rhizomorphs—root-like cords of fungal tissue that transport water and nutrients through the mycelium—which are often discussed in the context of rhizal relationships between fungi and plants.

See also: rhizome, root, rhizoid, rhizomorph, mycology.