Turf graminoids. Long-lived below-ground stems formed above-ground (= epigeotropic rhizomes sensu Serebrjakov and Serebrjakova 1965). Distal part of stem is covered by soil and litter or pulled into the soil by contraction of roots. Nodes bear green leaves, the internodes are short. The rhizomes serve as storage organs and as a bud bank and bear roots. Vegetative spreading is usually slow (up to a few cm/year). Decay from the basal part of the rhizome starts usually after more than ten years. Branching is monopodial or sympodial. Disintegration starts with the decay of the primary root and continues with the oldest parts of the rhizome.

[other examples: Agrostis alpina, Carex montana, Deschampsia cespitosa]

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