An aboveground creeping stem is referred to as what?

A creeping stem that grows above the ground is referred to as a stolon. Stolons are horizontal branches that grow out from the main plant, allowing it to spread and establish new plants at nodes where the stem touches the soil. This adaptation is particularly beneficial for plants in colonizing new areas and can lead to a denser growth form over time.

In contrast, runners are often used interchangeably with stolons, but they usually refer specifically to the propagation method of certain plants, emphasizing their role in establishing new plants. Rhizomes, on the other hand, are underground stems that serve similar functions but grow horizontally beneath the soil, while corms are a type of underground storage organ that allows plants to survive adverse conditions rather than a creeping stem. The distinction is important in understanding plant growth behavior and the strategies they employ for reproduction and survival.