Rhizomatous Gesneriads
A rhizome is a thickened section of plant stem usually found below ground
although it can occur above ground. Like a tuber, it is a storage mechanism
and rhizomatous plants will go dormant under adverse conditions just as
tuberous ones do. Rhizomatous gesneriads include Achimenes which is often
grown as an indoor or outdoor basket plants. Achimines originated in Central
America. The very popular Kohleria is originally from South America.
Smithiantha (Temple Bells) popular as an indoor upright plant is from Mexico
and Central America. This is an interesting group of gesneriads because they
are so closely related that many intergeneric hybrids are possible and many
have been made.
Click here to see our Photogallery of popular rhizomatous types.
