What are Rhizomes?
Rhizomes are specialised underground stems that grow horizontally beneath the soil surface. They are pear-shaped. They are smaller in size as compared to tubers. They have nodes from which adventitious roots and shoots emerge. Rhizomes play a vital role in vegetative propagation, allowing plants to spread and colonise new areas.
Due to their ability to produce new shoots and roots, rhizomes contribute to the perennial nature of certain plant species. The slender and elongated appearance of rhizomes helps them efficiently spread horizontally underground. This growth pattern allows rhizomatous plants to form dense colonies or cover large areas over time. Unlike tubers, rhizomes do not have eyes and are involved in vegetative reproduction and produce offspring rather than nutrient storage.
Rhizomes Examples
Some of the examples of rhizomes are:
- Ginger
- Bamboo
- Iris
- Turmeric
- Ferns (e.g., sword fern)
- Mint
- Asparagus
Types of Rhizomes
The major types of rhizomes are:
- True Rhizomes: Horizontal underground stems that grow parallel to the soil surface, producing roots and shoots from nodes along their length.
- Stoloniferous Rhizomes: Also known as runner rhizomes, these stems grow above the soil surface and then arch downward to produce new plants at nodes.
- Tuberous Rhizomes: These rhizomes swell at the tips to form storage structures filled with nutrients, helping in plant survival during adverse conditions.
Difference Between Rhizome and Tuber
The difference between rhizome and tuber lies in their respective structures and functions within plants. Rhizomes are underground stems that grow horizontally and serve as storage organs whereas tubers are swollen underground storage organs storing nutrients and energy.
In this article, we will cover the difference between rhizome and tuber in tabular form.
Table of Content
- What are Rhizomes?
- Rhizomes Examples
- Types of Rhizomes
- What are Tubers?
- Tubers Examples
- Difference Between Rhizome and Tuber
- Similarities Between Rhizome and Tuber
- Conclusion – Difference Between Rhizome and Tuber
- Other Related Articles on Differences
- FAQs on Difference Between Rhizome and Tuber