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

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

Once, milkweed “would get shredded and pulverized by cultivation equipment, but it would spring back from the live rhizomes underground,” he continued.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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