rhizome

American  

[rahy-zohm] / ˈraɪ zoʊm /

noun

Botany.

1. a rootlike subterranean stem, commonly horizontal in position, that usually produces roots below and sends up shoots progressively from the upper surface.

---

rhizome British  

/ ˈraɪzəʊm, -ˈzəʊ-, raɪˈzɒmətəs /

noun

1. Also called: rootstock.   rootstalk.  a thick horizontal underground stem of plants such as the mint and iris whose buds develop new roots and shoots

---

rhizome Scientific  

/ rī′zōm′ /

1. A plant stem that grows horizontally under or along the ground and often sends out roots and shoots. New plants develop from the shoots. Ginger, iris, and violets have rhizomes.

2. Also called rootstock

3. Compare bulb corm runner tuber

---

Other Word Forms

• rhizomatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of rhizome

1835–45; < New Latin rhizoma < Greek rhízōma root, stem, noun of result from rhizoûn to fix firmly, take root, derivative of rhíza root ¹

Compare meaning

How does rhizome compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• rhizome vs. rhizoid

Example Sentences

After a lengthy preamble, in which Penelope talked about fronds, spores, roots, rhizomes, and the impressive knack ferns have for growing in the shade, she began to catalog the varieties.

From Literature

In fall, she cuts the leaves down to about 6 inches above the rhizome.

From Seattle Times

Fireweed, a common native perennial with roots and rhizomes that go both deep and wide, has the capacity to produce up to 80,000 seeds in a season.

From Seattle Times

“My dream as a teacher,” Haas said, “is when something keeps growing underground, like a rhizome, and then at a different place grows into a different plant.”

From New York Times

That timing is important because harvesting ginger means uprooting the whole plant to get to the rhizomes growing underground.

From Salon

Related Words

• essence
• foundation
• heart
• origin
• seed
• soul
• source
• stem
• stuff