178 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXI, No. 3 
Indeterminate stolon. —An above-ground stem which roots at the 
nodes and from which shoots are produced progressively; examples, 
Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gay- 
ay na I/.)* 
It is quite probable that special terms may be needed where it appears 
desirable to make finer distinctions than are indicated above. However, 
it is thought that all of the rooting stems, especially those produced by 
grasses, can logically be designated by the general terms herein proposed. 
It is deemed advisable to discontinue the use of the term “ rootstock, ” 
since this term is misleading and has been used by horticulturists in the 
sense of propagating stock. There appears to be no serious objections 
to the use of the word “runner” as a synonym of stolon, although it has 
been used in a more specific sense, as in the case of the strawberry. 
SUMMARY 
The references in literature to rooting stems in timothy fail to give a 
description of their nature or functions. 
Investigations disclose two quite distinct types of underground rooting 
stems. 
One type develops when the shoot that produces the new plant is 
covered with soil early in its growth. Some of the unelongated inter¬ 
nodes connecting the shoot with the parent plant elongate, thereby push¬ 
ing the shoot to the surface of the soil. Roots grow from the nodes 
between the elongated intemodes. 
A second type of underground rooting stem is produced when timothy 
plants with growing culms are covered with soil. Buds that sometimes 
form on the culms of these plants frequently develop into shoots and 
ultimately into independent plants. The culms then become under¬ 
ground rooting stems. 
Many, if not most, of the scattering timothy plants that appear in a 
field where a timothy sod has been plowed under are produced vege- 
tatively from buried stubbles or culms. 
Above-ground rooting stems in timothy are not common in this country. 
Some botanists have regarded them as a varietal characteristic. It is 
very doubtful if they should be so regarded. Apparently they are 
formed most commonly when weak or decumbent stems come in contact 
with the soil. 
Determinate and indeterminate rhizomes and determinate and inde¬ 
terminate stolons are terms suggested to cover in a general way the 
types of rooting stems that are found especially in grasses. 
