Question

Differentiate between runner and sucker

Answer 1

Hint: Runner and sucker both are the modifications of the stem of the plant but they both have different shapes and structures.

Complete answer:
1)The stem in the plants can show various modifications such as underground modifications,sub-aerial modifications, and aerial modifications. Runners and suckers both are examples of sub-aerial modifications of the stem.
2)The difference between the sucker and runners can be described using the following points.

RUNNER	SUCKER
The runners are narrow horizontal structures that are green in color and they arise from the stems and then spread to different directions.	The suckers grow from the axil of the scale leaves that are present below the soil and it is not green in color.
The runners are horizontal structures that extend horizontally to spread to other places.	The suckers grow horizontally only below the soil after which it becomes oblique and comes out of the soil.
The runner shows the presence of shoots and the development of roots from the lower side of the runner.	The sucker produces leaves and shoots from its upper side.

Note: The sucker is also known as an underground runner as it extends horizontally under the soil. The runners also show the presence of some nodes that give rise to leaves and buds. The examples of runners are hydrocotyle plants, Oxalis, Cynodon dactylon that is also known as the lawn grass. Examples of suckers are mint also known as pudina, chrysanthemum, etc.