Everyone loves bulbs! They’re often one of the first signs of spring, and they make fantastic additions to a yard (and in some cases, a vase). There are other bulbous plants that aren’t considered “true bulbs,” although we tend to think of them as such. These bulb impersonators are actually stem and root parts. Known as tubers, tuberous roots, corms and rhizomes, these plants can also bring forth glorious blooms in your garden.
True bulbsA true bulb has a fully formed plant within the bulb. If you were to slice open a tulip bulb vertically, for example, you’d see a small baby tulip with flowers, stems, leaves and roots! Some other examples of true bulbs are the daffodil, lily, hyacinth and amaryllis. TubersEveryone knows that potatoes have eyes. In fact, potato eyes are really buds that are capable of producing both roots and shoots. The potato is actually a modified stem called a tuber. Ornamental plants, such as caladiums, cyclamen and anemone, are also tubers. Tuberous rootsDid you realize that the white potato and the sweet potato are actually different plant parts? While the white potato is a “stem,” the sweet potato is a modified root. Called a tuberous root, this is a swollen root, not to be confused with a tuber. Fibrous roots develop and take in the moisture and nutrients needed to initiate new growth buds at the base of the old stem. In addition to sweet potatoes, begonia and dahlia are ornamental examples of tuberous roots.
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