Plant Propagation Technique
A Rhizome is actually a stem of a plant, most commonly growing underground, that produces roots and stem shoots along its length from nodes. They are also known as rootstocks and creeping rootstalks.
When cut into pieces, each piece of the Rhizome can potentially grow into a new plant through a process known as vegetative reproduction. Many plants are cloned in this manner, including asparagus, bamboo, ginger, hops, Canna lilies, even the Venus Flytrap.
Rhizomes have compact internodal spacing which produce roots from the bottom of the nodes and stem shoots from the top.
A few plants have Rhizomes that grow along the top of the ground, including ferns and some species of Iris.
In some cases, Rhizomes are considered a nuisance, as they can cause a plant to spread beyond its intended borders. The implentation of a Rhizome barrier can keep plants that reproduce through Rhizomes from spreading.
Often confused with a Rhizome is the Stolon, and while similar, a stolon sprouts from and existing plant stem, has much wider internodal spacing, and generates its new shoots at the terminating end. Strawberry plants are an example of a plant that produces Stolons, as opposed to true Rhizomes.
Propagation by Rhizomes Articles
By The Native Plant Salvage Alliance
How To Plant Iris Rhizomes In Your Garden
by Mr. Brown Thumb
Hop Rhizomes - Planting and Growing
by Alternative Beverage