What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stolon
Example
The strawberry plant spreads through stolons that produce new plants. [stolons: noun]
Example
The grass in the lawn spreads through stolons that grow horizontally. [stolons: noun]
shoot
Example
The tomato plant produced several shoots after being pruned. [shoots: noun]
Example
The seedling had several shoots emerging from the soil. [shoots: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shoot is more commonly used than stolon in everyday language. Shoot is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stolon is less common and refers to a specific type of stem growth.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stolon and shoot?
Both stolon and shoot are technical terms used in botany and are therefore more formal in tone. However, shoot is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while stolon is less common and may be more appropriate in technical or scientific writing.