How to distinguish a rhizome from a root? We are sure that if you ask such a question, very many will be surprised because they believe that this is one and the same thing. But the root and rhizome are completely different concepts. Why? Let's figure it out together.
Escape Modifications
The aerial part of the plant is called the shoot. It consists of two parts: the stem and leaves. These plant organs are used for air nutrition, gas exchange and vegetative propagation. But in certain conditions this is not enough. Therefore, there are modifications of various plant organs, including shoot. Rhizomes are one of them. Modifications of the aerial parts of the plant also include potato and Jerusalem artichoke tubers, tulip and garlic bulbs, strawberry mustaches and grape tendrils. All of them perform additional functions. For example, with the help of antennae, grapes are attached to the support, which allows it to occupy the most favorable location for the photosynthesis process. But in the bulb and underground, water with nutrients is stored, which allows the plant to easily survive an unfavorable period. With the help of a mustache, strawberries vegetatively propagate, like potatoes with their underground modifications - tubers.
The structure of the rhizome
Rhizome, being an underground modification of the shoot, has all the features of its structure. But they are somewhat modified. Rhizomes are a creeping stalk with elongated internodes, in which all the substances necessary for the plant are stored. Bunches of subordinate roots depart from it. And on the surface of the earth are visible leaves that grow from nodes of an elongated shoot. They are simple. Their leaf blades are narrow, usually with parallel venation.
How to distinguish 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 depart. Only it is underground. The 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. He grows on the shoot. You will not find either buds or leaves on it. Therefore, naturally, it does not contain chloroplasts and is not capable of photosynthesis. This organ fixes the plant in the soil and provides mineral nutrition. And the rhizome is the escape. Only outwardly it is beyond recognition changed and located underground. The roots that are located on it are always subordinate. They grow in a bunch. Their combination forms a fibrous root system.
What plants have rhizomes
Rhizomes are modifications characteristic of many plants. Most of them are representatives of the Monocotyledon class. Surely many gardeners tried to get rid of a malicious weed called wheatgrass. To do this is not easy precisely because of the presence of rhizomes in this plant. Tearing out the leaves and part of the underground shoot, a person does not realize that most of it remains underground. New leaves again grow from the buds of the preserved part of the shoot. As a result, the weed grows again. Rhizomes have lily of the valley, mint, asparagus, peonies, irises, phlox, gravilate, blueberries. What are the advantages of plants that have these modifications?
Rhizome Functions
First of all, rhizomes provide vegetative propagation of plants, making it more effective. For example, to plant irises, it is not necessary to take a large part of the shoot with leaves and flowers. It is enough to use a small element of the rhizome with kidneys and additional 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 leaves will die. But the underground part, which is directly the shoot of the plant, will remain viable. When favorable conditions occur, green leaves will again grow from the buds. Rhizomes are a valuable underground supply of water, mineral and organic substances that plants formed during the period of sufficient moisture and photosynthesis. Due to this important feature, all plants with this modification are perennial. Their underground part remains viable from the beginning of autumn until spring precisely because of the stock 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. Rhizome performs important functions due to which the plant easily transfers any unfavorable periods underground and spreads quickly. This is the storage of water with nutrients and the implementation of vegetative propagation.