Rhizome

A rhizome is a horizontal underground plant stem that produces roots and shoots from its nodes. It stores resources and can spread a plant vegetatively.

Plant stem: A plant stem supports leaves and reproductive structures and transports water, minerals, and sugars. A rhizome is a specialized stem, with the same basic organs and transport tissues.
Plant bud: An undeveloped shoot containing tissues that can grow into leaves, stems, or flowers. Dormant buds on rhizomes can initiate new aboveground shoots.
Root: A plant organ that anchors the plant and absorbs water and minerals from the soil. Unlike a root, a rhizome is a stem with nodes and buds.
Ginger: A flowering plant whose aromatic rhizome is widely used as a spice and food ingredient. Ginger is a familiar edible rhizome harvested for its pungent compounds.
Iris: A genus of flowering plants that includes species with rhizomes or bulbs. Many garden irises grow from rhizomes that can be divided for propagation.
Node (botany): A point on a plant stem where leaves, buds, or branches arise. Rhizome nodes bear buds that can grow into shoots and roots.
Vascular bundle: A strand of plant tissue containing xylem and phloem for transport. Rhizomes use vascular bundles to move water and sugars along the stem.
Stolon: A horizontal stem that grows along the soil surface and can form new plants at its nodes. Stolons spread above ground, while rhizomes spread underground.
Turmeric: A flowering plant whose yellow-orange rhizome is used as a spice and source of curcumin. Turmeric’s harvested underground stem is a rhizome.
Bamboo: A group of woody grasses that includes species spreading through underground rhizomes. Some bamboo species form extensive rhizome systems that generate new culms.

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