bulbo

Bulbo is a term with multiple meanings in biology and anatomy, deriving from the Latin bulbus, meaning bulb. In English, the common term is bulb, but bulbo appears in scientific and Romance-language usage to reference bulb-like structures or to indicate a linguistic root. In anatomy, bulbo- forms often denote bulb-shaped structures, such as the olfactory bulb (bulbus olfactorius) at the forebrain, and, in embryology, parts like the bulbus cordis.

In botany, a bulb is an underground storage organ that enables a perennial plant to survive adverse seasons. A true bulb typically consists of a short stem (basal plate) surrounded by fleshy, scale-like leaves and often an outer protective tunic. Bulbs store nutrients to fuel rapid growth when conditions become favorable. They are distinct from other storage organs such as corms, tubers, and rhizomes. Common edible and ornamental bulbs include the onion (Allium cepa), garlic, tulip (Tulipa), and daffodil (Narcissus).

Bulbs are propagated by scaling, offsets, or offsets produced by the plant, and many species require specific vernalization or chilling periods to flower. They are used widely in agriculture and horticulture for food crops and flower production. Pest and disease pressures—such as onion maggots or fungal rots—are important management considerations in bulb cultivation and storage.

In linguistic and anatomical contexts, bulbo serves as a root meaning bulb-like. In Romance languages, bulbo or bulbo-like terms often denote a bulb object, while in anatomy, bulbus often names particular bulbous structures, as in bulbus olfactorius or bulbus cordis. The concept consistently conveys a rounded, storage, or bulb-shaped form across disciplines.