“Bulb” Types

Along with true bulbs, several types of flowers, sold as bulbs, grow from the underground stem
growth of rhizomes, tubers, and corms.
• True bulbs are rounded, self-sufficient, underground storage organs. True bulbs are an
incubator for a flower bud embryo already inside.
• Many perennial flowers grow from tubers, which are flat underground stems that store
food and plant energy.
• Corms are thick underground stems that produce the new roots, leaves and flowers of
their cultivars.
• Rhizomes are modified plant stems that grow horizontally under the surface of the soil.
New growth emerges from several different points along each rhizome.