Rizomas: definition and examples of plants

It is called rhizome to the stem that grows below the earth and horizontalso that, it is considered a Underground stem Like bulb and tubers, being able to store nutrients, so they function as reserve organs for the plant when it faces extreme conditions or nutrient scarcity. In addition, when growing horizontally it can also support the plant.

The plants that have this type of stem are usually perennial, so while they lose their leaves and surface parts during the coldest months, they continue to keep the rhizomes and store the nutrients that the plant needs to survive. This capacity, makes rhizomas, very interesting stems for human use and consumption, such as ginger, valued by its properties and used for both consumption and for the treatment of certain ailments.

The rhizomes can grow and cover large areas of the land, since Its growth is indefinite. With the passage of time and the increase in rhizome length, the oldest parts can die. In these cases, if the outbreaks of what, initially, it was the same plant are separated by a dead zone and therefore, two different plants will be considered.

This means that The reproduction of rhizomes is asexual. From a fragment (as long as it has a yolk) of the rhizome they can arise outbreaks, roots and new plants. Therefore, the transplant technique is applied in gardening to promote reproduction and growth. Once, the rhizome has been transplanted, will use the nutrients stored for the development of the new individual. Therefore, its division and plantation usually takes place during the months that have more favorable conditions, such as the beginning of spring, summer and even during autumn.

According to the type of branch and growth that rhizomas present can be divided into two types different:

• Defined or sympoidal rhizomes: Its growth is defined, which implies that the original plant can die when others arise too close to it. Simploidal rhizomes usually have short and thick knots, being in turn, capable of storing a large amount of nutrients.
• Indefinite or monopodial rhizome: It is considered that its growth is indefinite, since the original plant, never dies, leading to a large number of new plants. It is characterized that their knots are more elongated than those of defined rhizomes and new knots and rhizomes are generated.

As we have said before, the plants that are reproduced by rhizomas They are perennial, then we present some examples:

• Ginger: It is one of the plants with the most popular rhizomes, belonging to the Zingiberaceous family, due to its multiple uses and properties.
• Grama: or white grass. It has a thin and elongated rhizome.
• Indies cane: It is a plant of tropical origin and, despite having rhizomas, which favor its development and growth, needs much attention and care for maintenance and conservation.
• The mint: It is one of the plants that have the most valued rhizomes, as is ginger, for their properties, smell and peculiar flavor.
• Lily: It is one of the plants with rhizomes that have thick and leafy stems, which allows them to survive at extreme temperatures and the hard winters.
• Solomon seal: It is characterized by the presence of white tubular flowers. For its growth and development it requires a great nutrient contribution so the presence of rhizomes favors the absorption, storage and disposition of these.
• Bamboo: All bamboo species are reproduced by rhizomas, having great interest especially in gardening, in order to create barriers that provide us with a separation, protection or greater intimacy in our homes.

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