övervintringsorgan

An övervintringsorgan, or overwintering organ, is a plant structure that allows a perennial plant to survive through unfavorable conditions, typically winter. These organs are adapted to store food reserves and protect vital tissues from freezing temperatures, drought, or other environmental stresses. Common examples of övervintringsorgan include bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, corms, and woody stems.

Bulbs, such as those of tulips and onions, are modified underground stems consisting of fleshy leaves that store nutrients. Tubers, like potatoes, are swollen underground stems that store starch. Rhizomes are horizontal underground stems, as seen in irises and grasses, that can sprout new shoots and roots. Corms, like those of gladioli, are short, vertical, swollen underground plant stems that serve as storage organs. Woody stems of trees and shrubs, with their bark providing insulation and hardened tissues, also function as overwintering organs.

The presence and type of an övervintringsorgan are key characteristics for plant identification and understanding their life cycles. These structures enable plants to regenerate and grow again when conditions become favorable, such as during the spring. They are crucial for the survival and propagation of many plant species in temperate and cold climates.