From the bottom of the bulb, roots descend into soil to absorb moisture and other matter from it, while, above, it sends up leaves to digest and convert these matters into nourishment.

Lily Bulb

From the bottom of the bulb, roots descend into soil to absorb moisture and other matter from it, while,…

"a.-- Truncated bulb of onion; b.-- onion leaf dissected off; c.-- bulb of lily. Bulb, a modified leaf-bud, formed on a plant upon or beneath the surface of the ground, emitting roots from its base, and producing a stem from its center." -Vaughan, 1906

Various Bulbs

"a.-- Truncated bulb of onion; b.-- onion leaf dissected off; c.-- bulb of lily. Bulb, a modified leaf-bud,…

The investing sheaths or dead leaf-bases striped off. The faint cross-lines represent the scars, where the leaves were attached, i.e. the nodes: the spaces between are the internodes. The exhausted corm of the previous year is underneath; forming ones for next year on the summit and sides.

Corm of a Crocus

The investing sheaths or dead leaf-bases striped off. The faint cross-lines represent the scars, where…

Corm of Cyclamen. Roots from lower face, leaf-stalks and flower stalks from the upper.

Corm of Cyclamen

Corm of Cyclamen. Roots from lower face, leaf-stalks and flower stalks from the upper.

This modern flower-vase is a hyacinth glass which is intended for forcing bulbs into water.

Modern Flower-Vase

This modern flower-vase is a hyacinth glass which is intended for forcing bulbs into water.

Garlic is a perennial plant allied to the onion. Garlic is composed of a stalk, flower, bulb, and clove.

Garlic

Garlic is a perennial plant allied to the onion. Garlic is composed of a stalk, flower, bulb, and clove.

Oxalis crenata flowers are yellow striped with purple. The flowers bloom in September. The stem is erect and leafy.

Bulbs of Oxalis Crenata

Oxalis crenata flowers are yellow striped with purple. The flowers bloom in September. The stem is erect…

The bulbs of oxalis tetraphylla are large and scaly.

Bulbs of Oxalis Tetraphylla

The bulbs of oxalis tetraphylla are large and scaly.

Corm of Indian Turnip.

Turnip

Corm of Indian Turnip.

A ground leaf of White Lily, its base (cut across) thickened into a bulb-scale. This plainly shows that bulb-scales are leaves.

White Lily

A ground leaf of White Lily, its base (cut across) thickened into a bulb-scale. This plainly shows that…

Bulb of a Wild Lily.

Wild Lily

Bulb of a Wild Lily.

Wild Lily divided lengthwise, showing two forming buds of the next generation.

Wild Lily Cross-Section

Wild Lily divided lengthwise, showing two forming buds of the next generation.