Rhizomes are underground stems. They generally grow horizontal, perpendicular to gravity. Often, rhizomes run just under the soil, sprouting roots and shooting up new vertical stems as they go.

Are rhizomes roots?

Rhizomes are underground stems. ... Often, rhizomes run just under the soil, sprouting roots and shooting up new vertical stems as they go. Plants use them to store energy. So they can be fatter than how you'd normally think of a stem.

Are rhizomes and roots the same thing?

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.