Anatomy of a Flower Bulb

Types

• Bulbs, such as onions, may be covered with a papery substance called a tunic to protect the insides of the bulb. Some bulbs, such as lilies, do not have a tunic.

Function

• A layer of fleshy scales comes next and serves to provide food for the tiny plant that lies inside. Scales are made of carbohydrates the plant will need to grow.

Size

• Inside the scales lies a tiny plant complete with a stems, leaves, and buds. The plant remains coiled inside the bulb and waits until spring to grow.

Structure

• The basal plate on the bottom of the bulb holds the whole bulb together. This is the area where new roots will form.