Stolon vs. Runner — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 22, 2024
Stolons and runners both refer to plant structures involved in asexual reproduction, but "runner" is often used for stolons that grow above ground, while stolons can be either above or underground.
Difference Between Stolon and Runner
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Stolons are horizontal connections between plants, facilitating asexual reproduction and the spread of the plant by producing new individuals at their tips. These structures can grow either above the soil surface or just beneath it. Runners are a type of stolon that specifically grows along the soil surface, allowing plants like strawberries to propagate easily over short distances.
While stolons can function both underground and above ground, providing versatility in propagation and survival strategies, runners are particularly visible and are often associated with plants that spread across the ground's surface. This visibility makes runners easy to identify and manage, whether for propagation or control purposes.
The term "runner" tends to be used in a more casual or gardening context, particularly with plants whose above-ground stolons are prominent and easily observed. Stolon, however, is a more scientifically precise term that encompasses the broader category of these horizontal spreading structures, regardless of their orientation relative to the soil surface.
Both stolons and runners are crucial for the vegetative propagation of certain plant species, allowing them to colonize new areas quickly. This method of propagation is especially beneficial in environments where seed-based reproduction might be unreliable due to poor soil conditions, predation, or other factors.
In terms of management, both stolons and runners can be encouraged or discouraged through gardening practices, depending on the desired outcome. Gardeners might spread runners or cut stolons to promote more dense coverage or to propagate new plants in specific areas. Conversely, controlling their spread can be important in maintaining garden boundaries or preventing invasive species from overtaking desired plants.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Horizontal plant shoot that can be above or below ground, aiding in asexual reproduction
A type of stolon that grows along the soil surface
Location
Both underground and above ground
Above ground
Function
Propagation and spread of the plant
Propagation, specifically over ground
Visibility
Can be hidden or visible depending on location
Usually visible and easy to manage
Context of Use
More scientific and broad term
More casual, often used in gardening
Compare with Definitions
Stolon
A horizontal shoot that facilitates plant spread.
The mint plant uses stolons to rapidly expand across the garden.
Runner
Easily visible and managed in gardening.
Gardeners often clip runners to control the spread of certain plants.
Stolon
Can grow both above and below ground.
Potato plants develop tubers at the ends of underground stolons.
Runner
Aids in quick above-ground propagation.
The runner of a creeping jenny can root at each node to form new plants.
Stolon
Important for plant survival and colonization.
The stolons of the strawberry plant help it cover ground quickly.
Runner
Can be redirected for planned garden expansion.
Runners can be pinned down in desired areas to encourage rooting.
Stolon
Versatile in propagation strategies.
Grasses use stolons to form dense mats.
Runner
Common in plants like strawberries and spider plants.
Spider plants often send out runners with baby plants in pots.
Stolon
Plays a key role in asexual reproduction.
The spider plant produces baby plants at the ends of its stolons.
Runner
One who serves as an agent or collector, as for a bank or brokerage house.
Stolon
In biology, stolons (from Latin stolō, genitive stolōnis – "branch"), also known as runners, are horizontal connections between organisms. They may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton; typically, animal stolons are external skeletons.
Runner
A specific type of stolon that spreads over the ground.
Strawberry plants propagate through runners.
Stolon
(Botany) A long thin stem that usually grows horizontally along the ground and produces roots and shoots at widely spaced nodes, as in a strawberry plant. Also called runner.
Runner
(Sports) One who runs, as for exercise or in a race.
Stolon
(Zoology) A stemlike structure of certain colonial organisms from which new individuals arise by budding.
Runner
(Baseball) One who runs the bases.
Stolon
(botany) A shoot that grows along the ground and produces roots at its nodes; a runner.
Runner
(Football) One who carries the ball.
Stolon
(zoology) A structure formed by some colonial organisms from which offspring are produced by budding, found in bryozoans, pterobranchs, some corals, and other invertebrates.
Runner
See flat1.
Stolon
(mycology) A hypha that acts as a runner, connecting sporangiophores.
Runner
A fugitive
A runner from justice.
Stolon
A trailing branch which is disposed to take root at the end or at the joints; a stole.
Runner
One who carries messages or runs errands.
Stolon
An extension of the integument of the body, or of the body wall, from which buds are developed, giving rise to new zooids, and thus forming a compound animal in which the zooids usually remain united by the stolons. Such stolons are often present in Anthozoa, Hydroidea, Bryozoa, and social ascidians. See Illust. under Scyphistoma.
Runner
One who solicits business, as for a hotel or store.
Stolon
A horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new plants from buds at its tips
Runner
A smuggler
A narcotics runner.
Runner
A vessel engaged in smuggling.
Runner
One who operates or manages something
The runner of a series of gambling operations.
Runner
The blade of a skate.
Runner
The supports on which a drawer slides.
Runner
A long narrow rug.
Runner
A long narrow tablecloth.
Runner
(Metallurgy) A channel along which molten metal is poured into a mold; a gate.
Runner
See stolon.
Runner
A twining bean plant, such as the scarlet runner.
Runner
Either of two fast-swimming marine fishes of the family Carangidae, the blue runner (Caranx crysos) of Atlantic waters, or the rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) of tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
Runner
Agent noun of run; one who runs.
Runner
A person who moves, on foot, at a fast pace, especially an athlete.
The first runner to cross the finish line wins the race.
Runner
Any entrant, person or animal (especially a horse), for a race or any competition; a candidate for an election.
The mare is the stables' runner for the 5.15 race at Epsom.
The judge said she would not be a runner in the upcoming elections.
Runner
Somebody who controls or manages (e.g. a system).
Runner
A person or vessel who runs blockades or engages in smuggling. (Especially used in combination, e.g. gunrunner).
Runner
(cricket) A player who runs for a batsman who is too injured to run; he is dressed exactly as the injured batsman, and carries a bat.
Runner
A baserunner.
The runner was out at second.
Runner
(Australian rules football) A person (from one or the other team) who runs out onto the field during the game to take verbal instructions from the coach to the players. A runner mustn't interfere with play, and may have to wear an identifying shirt to make clear his or her purpose on the field.
Runner
Anyone sent on an errand or with communications, especially for a bank (or, historically, a foot soldier responsible for carrying messages during war).
Runner
A person hired by a gambling establishment to locate potential customers and bring them in.
Runner
(film) An assistant. en
Runner
A quick escape away from a scene.
He did a runner after robbing the drugstore.
Runner
One who runs away; a deserter or escapee.
Runner
A type of soft-soled shoe originally intended for runners.
Runner
Part of a shoe that is stitched to the bottom of the upper so it can be glued to the sole.
Runner
A part of an apparatus that moves quickly.
After the cycle completes, the runner travels back quickly to be in place for the next cycle.
Runner
A mechanical part intended to guide or aid something else to move (using wheels or sliding).
Runner
A smooth strip on which a sledge runs.
Runner
The blade of an ice skate.
Runner
The channel or strip on which a drawer is opened and closed.
Runner
Part of a mechanism which allows something to be pulled out for maintenance.
Runner
The curved base of a rocking chair.
Runner
In saddlery, a loop of metal through which a rein is passed.
Runner
In molding, a channel cut in a mold.
Runner
The rotating-stone of a grinding-mill.
Runner
The movable piece to which the ribs of an umbrella are attached.
Runner
A tool in which lenses are fastened for polishing.
Runner
(slang) An automobile; a working or driveable automobile.
The car salesman told me that the used Volvo was a nice little runner.
Is that old Mercedes on the forecourt a runner? / No, it has no gearbox.
Runner
A strip of fabric used to decorate or protect a table or dressing table.
The red runner makes the table so festive.
Runner
A long, narrow carpet for a high traffic area such as a hall or stairs.
How about we put down a clear runner in the front hall.
Runner
(slang) A part of a cigarette that is burning unevenly.
Runner
(botany) A long stolon sent out by a plant (such as strawberry), in order to root new plantlets, or a plant that propagates by using such runners.
Runner
(climbing) A short sling with a carabiner on either end, used to link the climbing rope to a bolt or other protection such as a nut or friend.
Runner
(poker slang) A competitor in a poker tournament.
Runner
A restaurant employee responsible for taking food from the kitchens to the tables.
Runner
A leaping food fish (Elagatis pinnulatis) of Florida and the West Indies; the skipjack, shoemaker, or yellowtail.
Runner
(sports slang) An employee of a sports agent who tries to recruit possible player clients for the agent.
Runner
A rope to increase the power of a tackle.
Runner
A speedrunner.
Runner
An idea or plan that has potential to be adopted or put into operation.
This idea isn't a runner. Let's not waste any more time on it.
Runner
A trusty prisoner granted special privileges.
Runner
A running gag
Runner
One who, or that which, runs; a racer.
Runner
A detective.
Runner
A messenger.
Runner
A smuggler.
Runner
One employed to solicit patronage, as for a steamboat, hotel, shop, etc.
Runner
A slender trailing branch which takes root at the joints or end and there forms new plants, as in the strawberry and the common cinquefoil.
Runner
The rotating stone of a set of millstones.
Runner
A rope rove through a block and used to increase the mechanical power of a tackle.
Runner
One of the pieces on which a sled or sleigh slides; also the part or blade of a skate which slides on the ice.
Runner
A horizontal channel in a mold, through which the metal flows to the cavity formed by the pattern; also, the waste metal left in such a channel.
Runner
The movable piece to which the ribs of an umbrella are attached.
Runner
A food fish (Elagatis pinnulatus) of Florida and the West Indies; - called also skipjack, shoemaker, and yellowtail. The name alludes to its rapid successive leaps from the water.
Runner
Any cursorial bird.
Runner
A movable slab or rubber used in grinding or polishing a surface of stone.
Runner
Someone who imports or exports without paying duties
Runner
Someone who travels on foot by running
Runner
A person who is employed to deliver messages or documents;
He sent a runner over with the contract
Runner
A baseball player on the team at bat who is on base (or attempting to reach a base)
Runner
A horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new plants from buds at its tips
Runner
A trained athlete who competes in foot races
Runner
A long narrow carpet
Runner
Device consisting of the parts on which something can slide along
Runner
Fish of western Atlantic: Cape Cod to Brazil
Common Curiosities
Are all runners stolons?
Yes, all runners are a type of stolon, but not all stolons are runners, as stolons can also grow underground.
Why are runners important for plants?
Runners allow plants to spread and propagate quickly across the surface of the soil, helping to colonize new areas efficiently.
Can stolons grow roots?
Yes, stolons, including runners, can grow roots at their nodes or tips, leading to the formation of new individual plants.
How do gardeners use runners?
Gardeners can manipulate runners to propagate plants, control their spread, or encourage dense growth in certain areas.
What is a stolon?
A stolon is a horizontal plant shoot that aids in asexual reproduction, capable of growing both above and below ground.
Can runners be used to grow new plants?
Yes, runners can be intentionally rooted at nodes or tips to grow new plants, a technique often used in gardening and propagation.
Why might a plant benefit from having both stolons and runners?
Having both allows a plant to spread and colonize spaces both above and below ground, maximizing their survival and propagation potential.
What is a runner?
A runner is a specific type of stolon that grows along the soil surface, helping certain plants to propagate and spread.
How do stolons and runners differ?
Stolons refer to horizontal shoots that can grow in any direction relative to the soil surface, while runners are stolons that specifically spread along the ground.
Do stolons only function in propagation?
While their primary function is in propagation, stolons also help plants spread to new areas, which can be crucial for survival and colonization.
What kind of plants produce stolons?
Many plants produce stolons, including strawberries, mint, and grasses, as part of their strategy for asexual reproduction and spread.
What advantages do stolons offer to plants?
Stolons allow plants to reproduce asexually, spread quickly in suitable environments, and colonize new areas without relying on seed dispersal.
Is it easy to control the spread of runners?
Runners can be relatively easy to manage through clipping or redirecting, especially since they are visible and grow along the ground.
How do underground stolons differ from runners?
Underground stolons spread beneath the soil and can contribute to the plant's underground network, while runners spread visibly above ground.
How can stolons affect a garden's layout?
Stolons can lead to the rapid spread of certain plants, potentially overwhelming other plants or altering the intended garden design if not managed.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
