Comprehensive reference on the characteristics of rhizomes, stems growing roughly horizontally below ground level, important for perennial and hard-to-control weeds and for the propagation of some commercially important crops. Rhizomes describes and compares rhizomes, classifies them based on their features, and presents their ecological and commercial importance. The book is divided into seven parts. After a short introduction, Part I discusses the evolution of rhizomes and their function as organs. Part II provides an introduction into rhizomes of basal tracheophytes, formerly called pteridophytes, now referred to as Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida or lycophytes and ferns. Part III covers monocot rhizomes with a focus on the high diversity of rhizomes found in monocots. Part IV focuses on dicot rhizomes and their morphological diversity. Part V explores the ecological and commercial importance of rhizomes, with special information on crops and weeds with rhizomes. Lastly, findings on rhizomes in different plant groups are compared, and conclusions on the development and diversification of rhizome characters are presented. Written by two highly qualified authors with significant research experience in the field, Rhizomes covers topics such as: Difficulty in making a clear distinction between rhizomes, runners, and stolons and inner cortex cells of rhizomes differing in sheath modifications Different types of species with stem-borne roots, including dicot representatives with roots arising from the hypocotyl and plants with roots at nodes, internodes, and buds Molecular genetics research analyzing molecular mechanisms and signaling processes leading to stolon and rhizome initiation and development Rhizome producing species forming either large colonies or genetically identical groups, with advantages and disadvantages of each With English literature on rhizomes being relatively sparse, Rhizomes is a unique and highly comprehensive reference on these types of stems, ideal for agronomists, botanists, horticulturists, breeders, ecologists, and weed scientists seeking to understand their important role in agriculture and food.

Table of Contents:
Preface ix Acknowledgements xi Part I Introduction 1 1 Introduction 3 1.1 The Role of Rhizomes in Agriculture and Pharmacology 3 1.2 Characterization of Rhizomes in Literature 3 1.3 Rhizome Anatomy 4 1.4 Genomics of Rhizomes 6 2 Evolution of Rhizomes and Their Distinction from Similar Plant Organs 11 2.1 Rhizomes of Early Vascular Plants 11 2.2 Rhizomes as Characteristic Attributes of Different Plant Growth Forms 11 2.3 Glossary and Distinction of Rhizomes from Similar Plant Features 12 2.4 Glossary of Terms for Characteristic Rhizome and Stem Features 16 Part II Rhizomes of Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida 19 3 Diversity in Rhizomes of Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida 21 3.1 Lycopodiopsida (Lycophytes) 21 3.2 Polypodiopsida (Ferns) 30 3.3 Summarizing View on Lycophyte and Fern Rhizomes 53 Part III Monocot Rhizomes 57 4 Morphological Diversity in Monocot Rhizomes 59 5 Histological Characterization of Monocot Rhizomes 63 5.1 Anatomy of Monocot Rhizomes – Tissues and Organs 63 5.2 Typology of Monocot Rhizomes 79 5.3 The Stele of Monocot Rhizomes 88 6 Nodes of Monocot Rhizomes 93 7 Monocot Rhizome Development and Tissue-Specific Gene Expression 99 8 Selected, Groupwise Description of Rhizomes 103 8.1 Alismatales103 8.2 Dioscoreales 116 8.3 Liliales 120 8.4 Asparagales 122 8.5 Zingiberales 148 8.6 Poales 160 8.7 Arecales 196 9 Summarizing View on Monocot Rhizomes 203 9.1 Stolons Versus Tubers 206 9.2 Collateral Versus Amphivasal Vascular Bundles 206 9.3 Xylem Lacunas 206 9.4 Borders Between Cortex and Central Vascular Bundle Cylinder 206 9.5 Thickening Meristems 206 9.6 Pseudostems 206 Part IV Eudicot, ANA Grade and Magnoliid Rhizomes 209 10 Morphological Diversity in Eudicot Rhizomes 211 10.1 Stem-borne Rhizomes 211 10.2 Root-borne Rhizomes 211 11 Histological Characterization of Eudicot Rhizomes 217 11.1 Anatomy of Eudicot Tissues and Organs 217 11.2 Typology of Eudicot, ANA Grade and Magnoliid Rhizomes 225 11.3 The Stele of Eudicot, ANA Grade and Magnoliid Rhizomes 227 12 Nodes of Eudicot Rhizomes 229 13 Eudicot, ANA Grade and Magnoliid Rhizome Development and Tissue-Specific Gene Expression 233 13.1 Timing and Location of Rhizome Formation 233 13.2 Molecular Genetics of Rhizome and Rhizome Tuber Formation 246 14 Selected, Groupwise Description of Eudicot Rhizomes 249 14.1 Ranunculales 249 14.2 Proteales 258 14.3 Buxales 260 14.4 Rosales 262 14.5 Oxalidales 266 14.6 Malpighiales 270 14.7 Geraniales 272 14.8 Myrtales 275 14.9 Brassicales 281 14.10 Saxifragales 284 14.11 Caryophyllales 286 14.12 Ericales 293 14.13 Asterales 301 14.14 Apiales 313 14.15 Solanales 316 14.16 Lamiales 320 14.17 Boraginales 329 15 Selected, Groupwise Description of Magnoliid and ANA Grade Rhizomes 333 15.1 Piperales 333 15.2 Nymphaeales 340 16 Summarizing View on Eudicot, ANA Grade and Magnoliid Rhizomes 363 Part V Ecological and Commercial Importance of Rhizomes 367 17 Agricultural Crops with Rhizomes 369 18 Rhizomatous Weeds 373 19 Clone Formation in Rhizomatous Plants 377 Part VI Comparative Synopsis of Rhizome Characteristics 379 20 Differences Between Rhizomes of Different Tracheophyta 381 21 Phylogenetic Relevance of Rhizome Characters 383 21.1 Shoot-Borne Roots as Common Characteristics of Tracheophyte Rhizomes in General 383 21.2 Relationship Between Eudicots and Monocots 383 21.3 Adventitious/Shoot-Borne Roots in Monocots and Eudicots 384 Part VII Final Discussion and Conclusions 393 22 Final Discussion, Conclusions and Outlook 395 22.1 Differences and Common Features of Tracheophyte Rhizomes 395 22.2 Borders Between Rhizome Cortex and Central Bundle Cylinder 395 22.3 Terminology of Functionally Similar Structures in Different Plant Organs 396 22.4 The Development of Rhizomes 399 22.5 What is the Difference Between a Rhizome and a Root? 399 References 399 Index 401