rhizome Hear it!

rhizome Definition

rhi·zome (rī′zōm′)

noun

a creeping stem lying, usually horizontally, at or under the surface of the soil and differing from a root in having scale leaves, bearing leaves or aerial shoots near its tips, and producing roots from its undersurface

Etymology: ModL rhizoma < Gr rhizōma < rhizousthai, to take root < rhiza, root

rhizome Related Forms
rhi·zom′a·tous (-zäm′ət əs, -zō′mət-) adjective
rhizome Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • plant: Turmeric is a vivid yellow spice which, like ginger, comes from the underground rhizomes of the plant.

Converse of object

  • creep: It grows up to 35 cm high, growing in stands from its creeping rhizome with leaves up to 50 cm long.
  • divide: Plants can be grown either from seed or by dividing the rhizome.
  • have: They have an underground rhizome that sends up shoots along its length.
  • expose: Frequent tillage during a fallow year exposes the brittle, fleshy rhizomes to be gathered or they may dry out in hot weather.
  • dry: The dried rhizomes are used in Chinese and Japanese medicines for treating a range of ailments.
  • produce: RTF is a unique type of tall fescue which produces rhizomes.

Adjective modifier

  • underground: Both are produced from creeping underground rhizomes which can go down about 1.5 meters.
  • short: With short rhizomes this plant will form a good sized clump in a few years.
  • new: New rhizomes are formed in late summer or autumn from older rhizomes or from the stem bases of aerial shoots.
  • fleshy: Frequent tillage during a fallow year exposes the brittle, fleshy rhizomes to be gathered or they may dry out in hot weather.
  • shallow: It grows to around 12 - 15 " in height, and spreads all too slowly from shallow rhizomes.
  • thick: These can be collected and sown but plants can more easily be propagated by dividing the thick, fleshy rhizome.

Modifies a noun

  • fragment: Rhizome fragments containing a node can develop into new plants.
  • growth: However, in the fall there is a lot of root and rhizome growth.
  • system: The control of the Japanese knotweed can only be achieved by killing the rhizome system, which may take a number of years.
  • bud: Rhizome buds may remain dormant or develop into aerial shoots or new rhizomes.

Noun used with modifier

  • valerian: Valerian rhizome will be invaluable in the short term.
  • licorice: Long term herbs for the pancreas will include juniper berries, fenugreek seed, astragalus root and small amounts of licorice rhizome.
  • ginger: For example, chicken is flavored by rubbing it with juice obtained from squeezing fresh ginger rhizome.