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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Rhizome and Tuber?

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The main difference between rhizomes and tubers lies in their structure and function within the plant. Both are modified underground plant stems that serve as storage organs, but they function in slightly different ways.

Rhizomes:

  • Grow horizontally along the soil surface or just below it.
  • Storage buds form on a rhizome for next year's leaves and flowers.
  • Examples of plants with rhizomes include irises, lily-of-the-valley, Chinese lantern, and Canna lilies.

Tubers:

  • Formed from a stem or root and store nutrients that allow the plant to grow the following season.
  • Buds sprout from tubers, and shoots grow upwards from many different places on the tuber.
  • Examples of plants with tubers include Dahlias and some begonias.

In summary, rhizomes are horizontal, stem-like structures that grow along the soil surface and store nutrients for the plant's growth, while tubers are formed from stems or roots and store nutrients underground.

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  • What is the Difference Between Rhizome and Tuber?
  • Comparative Table: Rhizome vs Tuber

    • Comparative Table: Rhizome vs Tuber

    Here is a table comparing the differences between rhizomes and tubers:

    Feature Rhizome Tuber
    Growth Habit Grows horizontally inside the soil Grows vertically underground
    Roots Has fleshy roots Roots are thick and are not enlarged at the nodes
    Form Thickened underground stem Short, thick, fleshy, underground stem
    Starchy Center No starchy interior Starchy interior
    Nodes Nodes bear adventitious roots Nodes do not bear roots
    Shape Pear-shaped, but can grow horizontally underground to form new shoots Standard shape, such as spherical, oval, or oblong
    Size Smaller in size compared to tubers Larger in size than rhizomes
    Examples Ginger, turmeric, siamese ginger, and krachai dam Potato, tomato, and eggplant

    Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems with distinct nodes and internodes, while tubers are modified stems with starchy interiors. Rhizomes grow horizontally and produce new shoots and roots, whereas tubers grow vertically underground. Rhizomes are found in plants such as ginger and banana, while tubers are found in plants like potato, tomato, and eggplant.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.