bulbos

Bulbos, or bulbs, are underground storage organs used by a variety of plants to survive unfavorable seasons. They are typically composed of a short, underground stem surrounded by fleshy leaves (scales) or a protective papery layer. The term encompasses several growth forms that differ in structure but share the function of storage and regrowth.

The most common true bulbs have a basal plate and concentric layers of leaf bases arranged around a growing point. They may be protected by a tunic, a dry outer covering; some bulbs are tunicate, others are non-tunicate, depending on the presence and nature of this covering.

Bulbs store carbohydrates and other nutrients, enabling plants to re-sprout each season. They reproduce vegetatively through offsets (daughter bulbs) or bulblets, and less commonly by seeds after flowering.

Examples of bulb plants include edible onions (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum), and ornamental flowers such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilies. Bulbs are valued in horticulture for predictable flowering, storage life, and ease of propagation.

In cultivation, bulbs require well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded site. They are typically planted in autumn or late summer and mulched to protect them in winter; after bloom, leaves photosynthesize to recharge the bulb for next year. Pests such as rodents can threaten storage; proper handling and seasonally appropriate irrigation support bulb health.