In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (/ˈraɪzoʊm/ , from Ancient Greek: rhizōma rhízōma mass of, roots from rhizoō rhizóō cause to) strike root is a modified subterranean stem of a plant that is usually, found underground often sending out roots and shoots from. Its nodes rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks. and rootstocksf a rhizome is separated into pieces, each piece may be able to give rise to a new plant. The plant uses the rhizome to store starches, proteins, and other nutrients. These nutrients become useful for the plant when new shoots must be formed or when the plant dies back for the winter.