turion

noun

(L. turio, turionis: young shoot) A winter bud, covered with scale leaves and mucilage, that is produced by certain aquatic plants, such as frogbit. Turions become detached and remain dormant on the pond or lake bottom during the winter before developing into new plants the following season. A small shoot which often over winters, as in Asparagus and in some species of Epilobium.