Question

Stolon, offset and rhizome are different forms of stem modifications. How can these modified forms of stem be distinguished from each other?

Answer 1

Modified plant part

• Rhizome: An underground modification of the stem that stores food.
• Stolon: A sub aerial modification of the stem where the lateral branch develops from the base of the stem.
• Offset: A sub aerial modification where the lateral branch develops from the stem.

Structure

In rhizome, the underground stem gets modified into fleshy structures with nodes and internodes covered by scaly leaves and has axillary buds.

In stolon, the lateral branch is elongated, grows like an arch for some distance, and when it touches the ground the terminal bud gives rise to shoots and adventitious roots.

In offsets, the lateral branches have short internodes where each node bears a rosette of leaves and adventitious roots.

Examples

Rhizomes: Ginger, turmeric etc.
Stolon: Jasmine, peppermint etc.
Offset: Pistia, Eicchornia etc.



Summary

Criteria	Stolon	Offset	Rhizome
Modification	A sub-aerial modification of the stem where lateral branch develops from the base of the stem	Sub-aerial modification where the lateral branch develops from the stem	An underground modification of the stem that stores food
Structure	The lateral branch is elongated, grows aerially like an arch for some distance, and when it touches the ground the terminal bud gives rise to shoots and adventitious roots	Lateral branches have short internodes where each node bears a rosette of leaves and adventitious roots	Fleshy with nodes, internodes covered by scaly leaves and have axillary buds
Examples	Jasmine, peppermint, etc.	Aquatic plants like Pistia and Eicchornia	Ginger, turmeric etc.