bulbil
bulbil, in botany, tiny secondary bulb that forms in the angle between a leaf and stem or in place of flowers on certain plants. Bulbils, called offsets when full-sized, fall or are removed and planted to produce new plants. They are especially common among such plants as onions and lilies.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
bulbil
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
19 March 2013
Access Date:
November 13, 2026