Creeping perennials propagate by which means?

• A. Leaves only
• B. Rhizomes, Stolons, or Tubers as well as seeds
• C. Roots only
• D. Seeds only

Answer: (B)

Creeping perennials spread through both vegetative growth and seeds. They can colonize new areas by vegetative structures like rhizomes, stolons, and tubers, which are horizontal stems or storage organs that produce new plants at nodes or tips. Rhizomes grow underground, sending up shoots elsewhere; stolons (runners) run along the surface and form new plants at their terminals; tubers store nutrients and can sprout to create new plants. In addition to these vegetative methods, they also produce seeds for sexual reproduction. Because this combination of spreading via underground or surface stems plus seed production is characteristic of creeping perennials, the best description is that they propagate by rhizomes, stolons, or tubers as well as seeds. The other options miss one or more of these propagation pathways, either focusing only on leaves, roots, or seeds.