what is rhizome

A continuously growing horizontal underground stem which puts out lateral shoots and adventitious roots at intervals. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks and rootstocks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow horizontally. The rhizome also retains the ability to allow new shoots to grow upwards.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. This is a process known as  vegetative reproduction and is used by farmers and gardeners to propagate certain plants.