Stem and Root Modifications

Floral Careers Plant Propagation

What Exactly is a Stem?

Before we go any further in this
presentation, lets define a stem.
A stem:

is generally considered to be the central axis of

the plant.
supports the leaves and flowers of a plant.
has nodes from which new shoots and
sometimes new roots can arise.
is usually found above-ground, but can be
modified and found below-ground as well.

Stem Modifications
The following are stem modifications:

Tubers
Corms
Bulbs
Rhizomes
Stolons

Tubers

A potato is a tuber

A tuber is an
underground stem that
stores food.
We know a potato is a
tuber because it has
nodes (eyes) which
produce new shoots.

Corms

Crocus corms

A corm is a swollen,
vertical stem with a
papery covering.
Gladiolus and
Crocus are examples
of plants that form
corms.

Corm Growth Cycle

Gladiolus corms with cormels

Bulbs
Bulbs come in 2 basic types:

Tunicate bulbs; onions and tulips are examples.

Scaly bulbs; tiger and asiatic lilies are
examples.

Tunicate Bulbs
Tunicate bulbs have:

A tunicate bulb

A papery outer
covering called a tunic.
A compressed,
modified stem with
nodes, called a basal
plate.
Fleshy scales made of
modified leaf tissue.

Tunicate Bulbs
Fleshy Scales
Basal Plate

Onion is a tunicate bulb

Tunicate Bulbs
Tunicate bulbs form
onion rings when cut
in cross-section.

Onion bulb shown

in cross-section

Scaly Bulbs
The other type of true bulb is a scaly bulb.
Scaly bulbs:

Lack a papery covering (tunic).

Have a basal plate.
Have fleshy scales made of leaf tissue.
Do not form onion rings when cut in crosssection.

Scaly Bulbs

Lilium is a scaly bulb

Bulb Growth Cycle

Rhizomes
Rhizomes are:

Iris rhizome

underground stems.
horizontally-growing.
produce shoots and
adventitious roots.

Rhizomes
Some plants, like
quack grass, produce
long, thin rhizomes.

Quack Grass

Rhizomes
Other plants, like
ginger, produce large,
thick rhizomes called
pachymorphs.
The pachymorph
rhizome of Ginger

Stolons
Stolons are:

Aboveground stems.
Grow horizontally.
Produce shoots and adventitious roots.
Strawberry and Spider Plant are examples of
plants that produce stolons.

Stolons

Wild Strawberry stolons

Root Modifications
There are 2 basic types of root
modifications:

Fleshy Tap Roots

Tuberous Roots

Fleshy Tap Roots

Carrots, beets, and
radishes are examples
of plants forming
fleshy tap roots.

Carrots

Tuberous Roots
Sweet potato is an
example of a tuberous
root.

A sweet potato is a tuberous root

Tuberous Roots
Dahlias are perennial
bedding plants that
form tuberous roots.

Dahlia

End