Stolon

In biology, stolons (from Latin stolō, genitive stolōnis – "branch"), also known as runners, are horizontal connections between parts of an organism.

Rhizomes, in contrast, are root-like stems that may either grow horizontally at the soil surface or in other orientations underground.

T. Holm (1929) restricted the term rhizome to a horizontal, usually subterranean, stem that produces roots from its lower surface and green leaves from its apex, developed directly from the plumule of the embryo.

He recognized stolons as axillary, subterranean branches that do not bear green leaves but only membranaceous, scale-like ones.

Examples of plants that extend through stolons include some species from the genera Riccia, Argentina (silverweed), Cynodon, Fragaria, and Pilosella (Hawkweeds), Zoysia japonica, Ranunculus repens.

[16] The tubers are modified stolons[17] that hold food reserves, with a few buds that grow into stems.

Hydrilla use stolons that produce tubers to spread themselves and to survive dry periods in aquatic habitats.

[18] Erythronium, commonly called Trout Lily, have white stolons growing from the bulb.

[19] Convolvulus arvensis is a weed species in agriculture that spreads by under ground stolons that produce rhizomes.

[22] Some colonial Cnidaria develop as stolons with interconnected medusoid structures that later separate.