geophytes

Geophytes are perennial plants that survive unfavourable seasons by means of a subterranean storage organ, such as a bulb, corm, tuber, or rhizome. The term geophyte is derived from Greek geo meaning earth and phyton meaning plant. In their dormant phase, these organs store nutrients and moisture, allowing the plant to endure periods of drought, cold, or shading.

During favorable seasons, geophytes push up shoots, leaves, and flowers from or around the storage organ. Depending on the species, the aboveground parts may die back each year or persist for longer in milder climates. The underground storage organs are typically robust structures that enable regrowth for multiple seasons.

Main types include bulbs (tunicate bulbs like onion and tulip; scaly bulbs), corms (solid stems such as gladiolus and crocus), tubers (swollen underground stems such as potato; other tubers arise from tuberous roots), and rhizomes (horizontal stems such as iris and certain ferns). Many geophytes are cultivated as ornamental plants for their showy flowers and diverse growth forms; others are important food crops or have medicinal uses.

Geophytes occur in a wide range of habitats, from dry temperate zones to alpine and subtropical regions, often in seasonal climates where a period of dormancy helps survival. Propagation can occur by seeds or by division and offsets from stored organs. They are valued in horticulture for spring and autumn displays and are common in gardens, borders, and rock gardens.