Clipping, clearing, pruning and shaping are all part of the cool season improvement effort. There are also a variety of projects which require penetrating beneath the soil’s surface into the mostly unseen realm of roots and rhizomes.
The common tree or shrub root holds few surprises. A woody root appears as the subsurface equivalent of a branch, except there are no leaves.
Still, there are some encounters which leave the inexperienced excavator wondering exactly what they have unearthed. Betony tubers are one of the surprising, but benign, subterranean plant structures found in panhandle Florida.
Stachys floridana, as betony is botanically known, is often mistaken for a grub or caterpillar at first glance because of its size and shape. The pale color and segmented appearance of these tubers contrast distinctly against the soil.
This native weed flourishes in full sun, but it will grow in partial shade. They are also commonly seen in disturbed sites such as ditch banks and fence rows.
Smilax roots have an alien quality to their appearance. If unwanted, this hardy vine must be eliminated both above and below the soil.
A perennial, it grows in clumps and can reach two feet in height. Blooms during the warm season are pink to purple.
Another plant which produces a distinct root system is purple nutsedge. This invasive and non-native weed is the bane of many homeowners and landscape managers.
Purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus, grows from every possible sunny location with soil capable of supporting the plant. This non-native pest is a rapidly spreading perennial which will take every opportunity to colonize new locations.
Its roots are a series of spreading rhizomes and tubers or bulbs identified as nutlets. Each nutlet sprouts a new bunch of grass-like leaves and continues growing the rhizomes.
The dense population of this sedge quickly crowds out most other plants, but especially turf and forage grasses. It can reach a height of 18 inches during the summer and early autumn on its triangle shaped stems.
The root system’s design assures this plant continued success. Removed whole, a root strand of young plants appears like a necklace with the nutlets evenly spaced on a thread.
If pulled, the rhizomes break off leaving a large number of nutlets to develop and emerge at a later date.
Smilax, also known as green briar, cat briar and depending on the frustrations of the gardener some rather graphic names, is a native vine which thrives in the area.
This time of year, above ground smilax, the sinewy vine, puts up an intimidating visual barrier to man and beast when not veiled in greenery. Its vines are not easily cut and are covered with sharp thorns.
Below ground its root system looks like a space alien from a 1950’s horror movie that is waiting to trap unsuspecting teenagers.
The roots grow into collections of pale bulbous protrusions with sinewy roots extending from the top of each bulb. Mature examples can weigh over ten pounds and are impossible to pull from the soil without the aid of power equipment.
Because of this hardy root system, individual plants can withstand harsh treatment and environments. If burned or mowed to the soil’s surface, they will regenerate from a segmented rhizome root system.
So, when entering the netherworld beneath the soil’s surface, expect surprises. Plants have used the eons of time to assure their collective survivability.
Leave a Reply