Musa corms

Hannon othonna@gmail.com
Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:50:53 PDT
Tim,

Again, we are dealing with imperfect language (definitions) for structures
or 'behaviors' that do not comply to a single norm. Such a caveat applies
to most morphological terminology. That said, a rhizome can be thought of
as a (typically) horizontally oriented stem with multiple and often
congested nodes/internodes. There is a discernible "front end" and "rear
end", where the rear dies off gradually and the front progresses and often
may branch. Each node may have a potential growth bud. Bearded iris and
Aspidistra are classic examples of plants with rhizomes. I think more often
rhizomatous plants are better regarded as perennials in the broad sense
rather than geophytes in particular.

Aside from size and notable pseudostem, why can't Musa be considered
rhizomatous?

Dylan

On 3 June 2012 18:24, Tim Chapman <tim@gingerwoodnursery.com> wrote:

>
>
> On Jun 3, 2012, at 7:59 PM, Hannon <othonna@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Calling a banana rhizome a "corm" is like calling a palm trunk a
> "caudex",
> > which is an older use of a word now applied to very different structures.
> >
> > Dylan
>
> If this is the case then how do you define rhizome?  Most Musa do not fit
> the the normal definition of rhizome.  Also, how would Ensete be classified
> as they do not spread at all?
>
> Tim Chapman
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