What structural features of the ginger rhizome allow it to spread when planted as "seed ginger"?
Answer
Nodes from which new shoots and roots can emerge
The rhizome's identity as a modified stem is evidenced by its ability to propagate new plants when cut into pieces and planted. This vegetative reproduction relies entirely on the presence of nodes along the horizontal stem. These nodes are specific biological points that possess the latent ability to generate both new above-ground shoots and downward-growing rootlets under favorable conditions. Gardeners utilize this feature by intentionally planting sections of the rhizome, often referred to as 'seed ginger,' to ensure the growth of subsequent generations of the plant.
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