Comprehensive reference on the characteristics of rhizomes, stems growing roughly horizontally below ground level important for perennial and hard-to-control weeds and for the propagation of some commercially important crops. Rhizomes describes and compares rhizomes, classifies them based on their features, and presents their ecological and commercial importance. The book is divided into five parts. After a short introduction, Part I discusses the evolution of rhizomes and their function as organs. Part II provides an introduction into rhizomes of basal tracheophytes, formerly called pteridophytes, now referred to as Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida or lycophytes and ferns. Part III covers monocot rhizomes with a focus on the high diversity of rhizomes found in monocots. Part IV focuses on dicot rhizomes and their morphological diversity. Part V explores the ecological and commercial importance of rhizomes, with special information on crops and weeds with rhizomes. Lastly, findings on
