Plant Biology
Rhizome
A horizontal underground stem that sends out roots and shoots from nodes. A method of vegetative reproduction that allows plants to spread laterally.
Biological Context
Ginger, bamboo, and many grasses spread via rhizomes. Rhizomes store nutrients and allow plants to survive underground during unfavorable conditions. A single plant can colonize large areas through rhizome spread. Rhizomes make some plants difficult to eradicate.
Business Application
Rhizomatic business growth: spreading through underground connections rather than visible expansion. Franchise networks, affiliate programs, and word-of-mouth growth spread rhizomatically—new nodes emerge from existing connections.