Bulb (pseudobulb)

A thickened part of the stem in sympodial orchids. They serve as reservoirs of nutrients and water in case of prolonged drought, which is characteristic of plants that lead an epiphytic lifestyle. Bulbs have various shapes, depending on the species of orchid - cylindrical, conical, club-shaped or spherical. Each bulb has one or two leaves. But because the nutrient reserves are located in the bulb…

A thickened part of the stem in sympodial orchids. They serve as reservoirs of nutrients and water in case of prolonged drought, which is characteristic of plants that lead an epiphytic lifestyle.

Bulbs have various shapes, depending on the species of orchid - cylindrical, conical, club-shaped or spherical. Each bulb has one or two leaves. But because the nutrient reserves are located in the bulbs, the leaves of such orchids are usually thin and narrow, gradually dying off. Monopodial orchids do not have bulbs and their nutrient and water reserves are stored in succulent fleshy leaves.