What are the differences between a root and a rhizome?

[Ahmed Abdullah]

Mosses and ferns have rhizome whereas a mango tree has root.
Rhizomes are used for absorbing water and nutrient from ground by mosses as higher plants use their roots. SO I don't understand why two distinct terms are used for things of similliar functions.

 

[jim mcnamara]

A rhizome is modified stem tissue, roots are, well, roots. Their tissues are different from stems.

Have you had any plant anatomy? Once you have studied the tissues (like xylem, phloem, pericyle, etc.) it will make more sense.

Plus, tracheophytes like mosses have relatively undifferentiated tissues, compared with flowering plants. It's kinda like comparing roundworms and humans - humans have many more tissues.

 

[ravenprp]

The main difference between a root and a rhizome lies in their structure and function. A root is a single, central structure that grows vertically downwards from the base of a plant, anchoring it to the ground and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. On the other hand, a rhizome is a horizontal, underground stem that grows parallel to the ground and produces roots and shoots at intervals.

One of the key differences between roots and rhizomes is their purpose. Roots are primarily responsible for anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients, while rhizomes serve as a storage organ for nutrients and allow the plant to spread horizontally, producing new shoots and roots at each node. This is why mosses and ferns, which are lower plants, have rhizomes, as they need to spread and establish themselves in their environment.

Additionally, the structure of roots and rhizomes also differs. Roots usually have a single, main central root with smaller lateral roots branching off it, while rhizomes have multiple nodes or points of growth along their length. This allows rhizomes to produce new shoots and roots at various points, promoting the growth and spread of the plant.

In conclusion, while both roots and rhizomes serve similar functions of absorbing water and nutrients, they differ in their structure and purpose. Roots are primarily responsible for anchoring and absorbing, while rhizomes serve as a storage organ and allow for horizontal growth and spread. This is why different terms are used for these two distinct structures.