How to distinguish a rhizome from a root? We are sure that if you ask such a question, many will be surprised, because they believe that this is one and the same thing. But root and rhizome are completely different concepts. Why? Let's figure it out together.
Escape Modifications
The above-ground part of the plant is called the shoot. It consists of two parts: stem and leaves. These plant organs serve for air nutrition, gas exchange and vegetative reproduction. But under certain conditions this is not enough. Therefore, there are modifications of various organs of plants, including shoots. Rhizomes are one of them. Modifications of the aerial part of the plant also include potato and Jerusalem artichoke tuber, tulip and garlic bulbs, strawberry whiskers and grape tendrils. All of them perform additional functions. For example, with the help of tendrils, grapes are attached to a support, which allows them to take the most favorable location for the process of photosynthesis. But in the bulb and underground, water with nutrients is stored, which allows the plant to easily survive the unfavorable period. With the help of a mustache, strawberries reproduce vegetatively, like potatoes.with their underground modifications - tubers.
Rhizome structure
Rhizome, being an underground modification of the shoot, has all the features of its structure. But they are somewhat modified. Rhizomes are a creeping stem with elongated internodes, in which all the substances necessary for the plant are stored. Bundles of adventitious roots depart from it. And on the surface of the earth, leaves are visible that grow from the nodes of an elongated shoot. They are simple. Their leaf blades are narrow, usually with parallel venation.
How to tell a rhizome from a root
As you can see, in the structure of the rhizome, you can see all the elements of the shoot: an elongated stem, from which roots, nodes, buds and leaves extend. It's just underground. Root and rhizome are often confused. But their similarity lies only in the name. After all, the root is the underground organ of the plant. It grows on the run. On it you will not find any buds or leaves. Therefore, naturally, it does not contain chloroplasts and is not capable of photosynthesis. This organ anchors the plant in the soil and provides mineral nutrition. And the rhizome is the escape. Only outwardly it is changed beyond recognition and is located underground. The roots that are located on it are always adventitious. They grow in bunches. Their combination forms a fibrous root system.
Which plants have rhizomes
Rhizomes are modifications characteristic of many plants. Most of themis a member of the monocot class. Surely, many gardeners tried to get rid of the malicious weed called wheatgrass. This is not easy to do precisely because of the presence of a rhizome in this plant. Pulling out the leaves and part of the underground shoot, a person does not realize that most of it remains underground. From the buds of the preserved part of the shoot, new leaves grow again. As a result, the weed grows again. The rhizome has lily of the valley, mint, asparagus, peonies, irises, phloxes, gravel, blueberries. What are the benefits of plants that have these modifications?
Rhizome Functions
First of all, rhizomes provide vegetative propagation of plants, making it more efficient. For example, to plant irises, it is not necessary to take their large part of the shoot with leaves and flowers. It is enough to use a small rhizome element with buds and adventitious roots. Since this modification of the shoot is located underground, it has a reliable shelter from all adverse environmental conditions. He is not afraid of drought. In extreme heat, only the leaves will die. But the underground part, which is the direct shoot of the plant, will remain viable. When favorable conditions occur, green leaves will grow from the buds again. Rhizomes are a valuable underground supply of water, mineral and organic substances that plants have formed during the period of sufficient moisture and photosynthesis. Due to this important feature, all plants withthis modification are perennial. Their underground part remains viable from the beginning of autumn to spring precisely due to the supply of all the substances necessary for this, which are in this modification.
So, the rhizome is an underground modified creeping shoot. Its main parts are elongated internodes, buds, simple leaves and adventitious roots. The rhizome performs important functions, thanks to which the plant easily endures any unfavorable periods underground and spreads quickly. This is the storage of water with nutrients and the implementation of vegetative propagation.
