Bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers

When I was a mere lad I always had difficulty with the difference between bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes. All children at school nowadays are taught the difference, which I suppose is simple enough. It’s like riding a bicycle. Once you know it you’re not likely to forget it.

The bulb (onion, tulip, and so on) is just a condensed shoot at the centre of which is a flower, surrounded by leaves. Roots grow from the base of the bulb which is called the base plate.

It contains enough food to get it into flower,