The major components of a plant are leaves, stems, and roots. Additionally, they are of various types and differentiate variably in terms of structure and function. The plant is essentially divided into two parts: the root system and the shoot system. The shoot system is the part that grows above the ground and consists of stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. The root system is the part that grows below the ground.
Rhizomes are stem modifications that grow horizontally below the ground. Roots are an important part of the plant, which serves many purposes. The root absorbs water and nutrients and then transports them to the shoot system for photosynthesis to take place. Both roots and rhizomes help in the storage of food. Both have their own specific function and importance in a plant system.
References
- https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/41/3/article-p536.xml
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/23499378?seq=1