Tim, Again, we are dealing with imperfect language (definitions) for structures or 'behaviors' that do not comply to a single norm. Such a caveat applies to most morphological terminology. That said, a rhizome can be thought of as a (typically) horizontally oriented stem with multiple and often congested nodes/internodes. There is a discernible "front end" and "rear end", where the rear dies off gradually and the front progresses and often may branch. Each node may have a potential growth bud. Bearded iris and Aspidistra are classic examples of plants with rhizomes. I think more often rhizomatous plants are better regarded as perennials in the broad sense rather than geophytes in particular. Aside from size and notable pseudostem, why can't Musa be considered rhizomatous? Dylan On 3 June 2012 18:24, Tim Chapman <tim@gingerwoodnursery.com> wrote: > > > On Jun 3, 2012, at 7:59 PM, Hannon <othonna@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > > Calling a banana rhizome a "corm" is like calling a palm trunk a > "caudex", > > which is an older use of a word now applied to very different structures. > > > > Dylan > > If this is the case then how do you define rhizome? Most Musa do not fit > the the normal definition of rhizome. Also, how would Ensete be classified > as they do not spread at all? > > Tim Chapman > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ > -- "*Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all.*" ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton