Shoot Apex Collar Node Leaf Blade Leaf Sheath Internode Tiller Bermudagrass plant showing anatomical features.   Root Tip Crown Rhizome

Bermudagrass stolon, runner or sprig used for planting hybrid bermudagrass.   Bermudagrass stolon

Leaf Blade Leaf Sheath Bud Node Rhizome Internode Roots Schematic drawing of a grass plant illustrates anatomical features. Not all grasses have rhizomes. Rhizome Internode Roots

Zoysiagrass stolon with nodes and internodes The above ground stem or stolon is the primary means of spreading for all warm season grasses.

Zoysiagrass node with multiple shoots The above ground stem or stolon is the primary means of spreading for all warm season grasses.

Zoysiagrass node with multiple shoots Closeup of a node on zoysiagrass showing tillers (shoots) and roots produced at the node. Zoysiagrass node with multiple shoots

Rhizome An underground stem or rhizome of zoysiagrass. Rhizomes provide another means of spreading for some grasses.  

Terminal shoot of the rhizome with nodes and internodes Note the pointed tip of the rhizome, which helps it penetrate dry, hard soils and even asphalt.  

St. Augustinegrass turf An overview of a St. Augustinegrass turf.   St. Augustinegrass turf

St. Augustinegrass Stolon St. Augustinegrass stolon (note large internode or stem segments between nodes). Also note the shoots or tillers developing from the 2nd and 3rd nodes. St. Augustinegrass Stolon

St. Augustinegrass shoot or tiller Close-up showing developing shoot or tiller on a St. Augustinegrass stolon. One St. Augustine tiller has the potential to develop into several square feet of turf in a single year. St. Augustinegrass shoot or tiller

Petioled leaf blade of St. Augustinegrass Note the constricted collar (petiole) between the leaf blade and leaf sheath on St. Augustinegrass. Petioled leaf blade of St. Augustinegrass

Bunch type growth habit (ryegrass) Ryegrass has a bunch type growth habit. It spreads or increases in size by tillering.   Bunch type growth habit (ryegrass)

An individual ryegrass shoot or tiller.

Claw-like auricles on ryegrass Close-up of a ryegrass shoot showing claw-like auricles at the leaf collar surrounding the leaf sheath. Claw-like auricles on ryegrass

Annual bluegrass showing terminal inflorescence (flower) Individual shoots or tillers terminate in an inflorescence or flower when environmental conditions favor reproductive growth. Day length, temp and sunlight affect flowering.

St. Augustinegrass inflorescence St. Augustinegrass seed are embedded in a cork-like raceme. St. Augustinegrass inflorescence

St. Augustinegrass flower (floret) Magnification of individual St. Augustinegrass flower.   St. Augustinegrass flower (floret)

Membranous ligule on annual bluegrass collar Membranous ligule at the collar of an annual bluegrass leaf.   Membranous ligule on annual bluegrass collar

Bunch-type growth habit Upright tillers illustrating bunch-type growth habit of ryegrass.   Bunch-type growth habit

Partially Emerged Leaf Blade Partially Defoliated Leaf Blade Fully Emerged Leaf Blade Individual shoot or tiller pulled apart to show stages of leaf growth.   Apical Meristem

Regrowth after mowing originates from bud or from leaf blades enclosed within the leaf sheath.

Regrowth – days after mowing Stages of regrowth. Note that previously cut leaves do not regrow or regenerate.   Day 1 Day 3 Day 7 Regrowth – days after mowing

Broadleaf plant with stoloniferous growth habit Broadleaf plant with a stoloniferous growth habit.   Broadleaf plant with stoloniferous growth habit

Broadleaf plant with a bunch-type growth habit.   Broadleaf plant