Glossary: Stem / root structures

Procumbent Trailing or lying flat on the ground, but not rooting

Pseudobulb A thickened above-ground modified stem of some orchids. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread. Did you know? Orchid pseudobulbs store water and nutrients, helping the plant survive dry periods between rains.

Radical On or near the roots of a plant. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.

Rhizomatous Having rhizomes or rhizome-like structures. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.

Rhizome An underground stem. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread. Did you know? Ginger is a rhizome — a modified underground stem, not a root.

Standard A plant that has been artificially trained to a single-stemmed upright form

Taproot A single main root that grows straight down. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread. Did you know? Carrots, beets, and dandelions have taproots that store food and anchor the plant deeply.

Taprooted Having a taproot. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.

Tuberous Producing tubers or resembling a tuber. This feature helps describe plant support, storage, water movement, or vegetative spread.