Final answer:
Serpentine layering is the method where the stem is laid along the ground, burying portions of it at intervals with some sections left exposed, which can lead to the formation of multiple new plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of layering where the stem is covered in multiple places along the stem is called serpentine layering. In this method, the stem is laid along the ground, and portions of it are buried at intervals with some sections left exposed to the air. This technique encourages rooting at each buried section, potentially leading to the formation of multiple new plants once separated from the parent plant. Nurseries and gardeners use this technique for plant propagation, especially with plants such as climbers or those with flexible stems.
For instance, the jasmine and bougainvillea plants can be propagated through layering, as can strawberry plants, which produce stolons that function similarly to how serpentine layering works. When plants like ginger and potato form underground stems such as rhizomes and tubers, these can also give rise to multiple new plants asexually.