rhizome

[ rahy-zohm ]

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

/ ˈraɪzəʊm; -ˈzəʊ-; raɪˈzɒmətəs /

noun

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

rhizome

/ 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

Derived Forms

• rhizomatous, adjective

Other Words From

• rhi·zom·a·tous [rahy-, zom, -, uh, -t, uh, s, -, zoh, -m, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizome¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizome¹

C19: from New Latin rhizoma , from Greek, from rhiza a root

Example Sentences

This stem is called a rhizome.

From BBC

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

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

Only the blechnum seemed not to have weathered the agonizing collapse: When Baer cut a sample for analysis, he could find no trace of healthy rhizome, or fern stem, as the other plants had.

From Los Angeles Times

The plant gets its common and genus names from the blood-red fluid that exudes from every part of the plant, including the underground rhizome, when cut.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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