In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (/ˈraɪzoʊm/, from Ancient Greek: rhízōma (ῥίζωμα) – "mass of roots", from rhizóō (ῥιζόω) "cause to strike root") is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks.

Is rhizome a stem or root?

What is a rhizome? Most biologists define the rhizome as a part of the plant. It is also known as rootstalk. However, it is a stem that creeps and grows horizontally under the ground and produces plant systems such as root and shoot of a new plant.

What is the difference between a root and a rhizome?

The main difference between a rhizome vs root is that a rhizome is a stem and does the job of a stem, even if it works underground. New branches of the plant grow out of these underground stems, and they store food for the leaves and the roots.