stolon

A long branch that is unable to support its own weight and consequently bends down to the ground. Where nodes on  the stolon  touch the soil a new plant may develop from the axillary bud. Examples of stolons are the long shoots of currants and gooseberries (Ribes). Often ordinary shoots will behave like stolons if pegged to the ground, which is the basis of the layering method of vegetative propagation. See also runner.