Asexual Reproduction
There are many forms of asexual reproduction in plants. Strawberries produce stolons
(runners) that put out new shoots. Many grasses reproduce by similar underground rhizomes.
Stolons and rhizomes are both modified stems. The leaves of some plants, like the African violet,
develop roots when detached from the parent plant and the infamous dandelion sprouts new
shoots from the root portion that remains in the ground after weeding. Some plants even
produce "plantlets" along the edges of the leaves. Bulblets and cormlets, axillary buds of bulbs
and corms are also common. Some of these methods of asexual propagation of plants will be
discussed elsewhere in the term with modified structures of shoots and roots.
The ability of many species of plants to reproduce asexually has been exploited to develop
cultivated varieties for food or ornamental use. Such plants are, genetically identical to the
parent stock so uniformity is assured. The grower may make root cuttings or may graft a cutting
onto an already rooted woody plant. Many fruit trees and roses are propagated in this way.
Many economically important plants are sterile and are propagated asexually; these include
pineapples, bananas, seedless grapes, navel oranges and many ornamentals.
HERE