Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. A rhizome is the main stem of the plant that runs underground horizontally. A stolon is similar to a rhizome, but a stolon sprouts from an existing stem, has long internodes, and generates new shoots at the end, how to store asparagus as in the strawberry plant. A stem tuber is a thickened part of a rhizome or stolon that has been enlarged for use as a storage organ.

In general, a tuber is high in starch, e. If a rhizome is separated each piece may be able to give rise to a new plant. The plant uses the rhizome to store starches, proteins, and other nutrients. These nutrients become useful for the plant when new shoots must be formed or when the plant dies back for the winter. Stored rhizomes are subject to bacterial and fungal infections, making them unsuitable for replanting and greatly diminishing stocks.