In [[botany]], a '''rhizome''' is a usually underground, horizontal [[plant stem|stem]] of a [[plant]] that often sends out [[root]]s and [[shoot]]s from its nodes. Rhizomes may also be referred to as creeping rootstalks, or rootstocks. A [[stolon]] is similar to a rhizome, but exists above ground, sprouting from an existing stem.
Underground [[stem]]; [[rootstock]].{{SCH}}
Many plants have rhizomes that serve to spread the plant by [[vegetative reproduction]]. Examples of plants that do this are [[asparagus]], [[ginger]], [[iris (plant)|iris]]es, [[Lily of the Valley]], [[Canna (plant)|Cannas]] and [[sympodial]] [[orchid]]s. The spreading stems of [[fern]]s are also called rhizomes.
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A [[tuber]] is a thickened part of a [[stolon]] that has been enlarged for use as a [[storage organ]]. <ref>Kingsley R. Stern ''Introductory Plant Biology'', 10th ed.</ref> They are typically high in [[starch]]. An example of a tuber is the common [[potato]].
