Stems of both grasses and legumes are composed of nodes and internodes. In general, the nodes of a grass stem are more prominent than the nodes of a legume stem. Buds have the potential to develop into flowers, leaves, roots, or other stems or branches. In many species, there are modified stems that function in food storage and vegetative propagation. The modified stems usually arise from the lower nodes of the main stem.
Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems that can produce new from their nodes.
Tillers are secondary stems that arise from nodes at the base of the main stem, and are more or less vertical in position. The crown of a plant is a group of modified stems with very short internodes which occur very close to the soil surface. It usually functions as a site for food storage and new growth in perennial species. Other modified stems such as tubers, corns, and bulbs can be important in food storage and vegetative propagation, but are generally not important in forage grasses and legumes. C. Leaves 1.