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DictionaryRoot: rhizōma
Greek

rhizōma

mass of tree roots

1 / 1
A simple cutaway of a living ginger plant reveals a thick horizontal underground rhizome, with slender roots growing downward and green shoots growing upward from its visible nodes.
noun

rhizome

RYE-zohm/ˈraɪzəʊm/

A horizontally spreading underground stem producing shoots and roots.

Etymology
rhizomeGreekmass of tree roots

Greek rhizōma meant a mass of tree roots. The botanical term applies that root image to a root-like underground stem, which produces roots and shoots.

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