What is a bulb?

A flower bulb is really an underground storehouse and flower factory.

A flower bulb is really an underground storehouse and flower factory. Within the bulb is just about everything the plant will need to sprout and flower at the appropriate time. Split a bulb in half and you will see this clearly. In the basal center part of the bulb are the leaves, cradling a baby bud. In many species, this bud already has the appearance of a flower while still in the bulb! Surrounding the bud are fleshy white layers known as “scales”. In true bulbs, it is these scales which contain all the food the bulb will need to flower and thrive.

Not all bulbs are bulbs

Technically speaking, many popular “bulb” flowers are not produced from true bulbs at all. Crocuses and gladioli, for example, are really corms, while such favorites as dahlias and begonias are really tubers. The main distinguishing trait is the method of storing food. In corms, most of the food is stored in an enlarged basal plate rather than the fleshy scales which in corms are much smaller.