Stolons?

[Roy Herold]

I really think you are trying to split hairs here. All we really need is a
term that we understand, and (this is very important) that is consistent
with usage in the rest of the horticultural community.

I just looked through a reference on lilies, since I know that folks who
are knowledgeable about them refer to certain species as 'stoloniferous'.
There was a very good illustration which I think goes a long way towards
explaining our dilemma. I have scanned it and posted it at:

http://gen.ml.org/~rrh/lilystolon.gif

I think what we are calling stoloniferous arisaemas are best represented by
the stoloniferous lily illustration. Granted, these are true bulbs, but the
idea is similar.

I also dabble in hostas, and like to think that I am fairly knowledgeable
about them on an amateur level. Other growers and I have long referred to
certain species as being stoloniferous. Again, an underground stem forms,
and a new plant develops at the tip. Apparently, the botanists agree, and
placed Hosta clausa in Section Stoloniferae.

But what about true tubers? That brings us to Solanum tuberosum, aka
potatoes (yes, potatoes). These multiply in a manner very similar to our
stoloniferous arisaemas. A stem emerges underground from the parent tuber,
travels underground for some distance, at which point a new tuber forms. I
found a scholarly paper on the web that used the term 'stolon' no fewer
than 36 times. See:

http://lateblight.bpp.msu.edu/niemira/BAN-dissertation.html/minitube.htm

Another page on botany makes the following statement, which seems to
address our predicament:

"The differences between rhizomes and stolons are not clear. Some
authorities consider any cylindrical horizontal stem a rhizome if it is
normally found below the soil surface, or a stolon if it is above ground.
However, in describing the development of tubers as in the case of Irish
potatoes, the tuber is most often considered the swollen subapical portion
of a stolon."

My guess is that your Californian mentor is of the former persuasion. I
would also guess that either one of us can find an authority that will
subscribe to the terminology of choice. However, I doubt very seriously if
you can get the lily people, and the hosta people, and the potato heads,
and especially me, to modify their use of the term 'stolon'.

By the way, Merry Christmas to all!

--Roy