About Bulbs

Bulbs have been a part of natural medicine and a dietary staple for centuries.  Some examples of a bulb are onions, tulips, narcissus, daffodils, lily, scilla (squill) and garlic. Garlic is usually thought of as a bulb, but it is not a true bulb. It is actually a corm. Many bulbs are used in botanical remedies, but some are also included in many diets around the world.  Onion and garlic are common recipe ingredients, but did you know you that tulip bulbs  can also  be a nutritious food?

A bulb is an underground modified stem that stores food for a plant.  It is usually vertical and has layers of modified starchy leaves that store food for the plant.

The bulk herbs which we offer in bulk form are:

Lily Bulb
Fritillary Bulb
Garlic Granules

 

Parts of a Bulb

 

 

Tunic – A paper like covering that protects the bulb.

Scales – Are modified leaves that store nutrients for the plant.

Bud – Immature plant.

Basal Plate – Is the bottom of the bulb.  The roots emerge from the basal plate.

Roots – Collect water and nutrients for the plant.  Help anchor the plant into the ground.

 

 

 

 

Corm

A corm is usually referred to as a bulb, but it is not a true bulb.  Corms are solid and do not have layers like a bulb does.  Instead, it has swollen segments that store food for the plant.   These segments are housed in a bulb shaped base stem. Examples of corms include garlic, gladiolas, crocus, and tuberous begonias.

 

 © 1stChineseHerbs.com 2016

Reference
http://extension.illinois.edu/bulbs/bulbbasics.cfm
http://www.medplants.net/tulip
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornamental_bulbous_plant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_onion
https://pixabay.com/en/flowers-bulbs-tulips-daffodils-2611/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_poeticus
http://www.paynes.com/what-grows-here/bulbs-corms-tubers/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornamental_bulbous_plant
http://extension.illinois.edu/bulbs/bulbbasics.cfm
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crocus_sieberi_-_tricolor.jpg
http://www.jphotostyle.com/g/garlic.html
Images used were found in a search for an image licensed for reuse on 4-2-2016
Images used where found ina search for images with a "free to use" license on 4-4-2016.