>Please, could there be some clarification here? >Peter (UK) > > All members of the family Musaceae and the related >Zingiberales have rhizomes. Although somewhat modified in bananas, it >is very obvious in Cannas, Gingers, Heliconias and other relatives. > Dear Peter and all, Anatomical categories (rhizome, corm, etc) are just like taxonomic categories (Muscaeae, Brunsvigia, Iris) in some ways. They are artificial 'pigeon holes'. If an organism fits the definition it goes in the box. Some of these boxes are VERY narrow (montypic genera like Worsleya or unique anatomical structure such as Dodder /Cucuta that lacks both leaves and chlorophyll ) and others are very wide such as Iridaceae and Orchidaceae. Same for structures. Some are highly modified and some take close sleuthing to fit in the pigeon hole. By common sense agreement we often say things such as all member of the genus x have 3 petals, except for those that have 5 or 6. Same for some anatomical structures. All Musaceae have rhizomes because most are readily obvious and fit the pigeon hole for "rhizome". Some are odd variations on the theme. I am sure you can think of some structure or taxonomic category that you have to stretch to fit all members, but that is just the nature of variation among organisms. So basically one has look beyond one extreme condition and look at the whole plant or the whole family. Widen the focus from the odd variation to the bigger scheme of things. I feel very confidant having look at banana rhizomes of all sorts and read a lot of the literature, that all Musaceae and Zingiberales have rhizomes. Some are very odd, but so is their foliage, flowers, leaves etc. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +