I just don't remember planting these and I don't remember them from last year so I can't figure out what they are. I don't know whether to be excited or afraid. And they're in several places. Does anyone have a clue about what these might be? or even if they're bulbs?
they don't look like my tulips.
They look like (Louisiana) Iris to me ??
Take a look at the two sprouts closest to you when viewing the picture ... you can see the rhizome (root stock) laying on top of the soil...
Bulbs are a term used about plants which has created a modified storage organ, e.g. by converting leaves into an (underground) storage organ. An onion for example, consist of modified leaves which are created into a storage holder for energy (carbohydrates).
Rhizomes are modified roots, e.g. instead of the stem, leaves etc have changed to become the storage organ, the roots have changed to become storage organ. Similar with potatoes (except the tissue is arrange slightly different, which I will not go into here).
This is why we get energy when eating potatos, onions, etc. Because they are modified storage organs which contain energy.
"Bulbs" techincally are modified leaves which create self-sustained storage organs with a basal plate from which roots sprout.
So very technically speaking, NO your picture is not bulbs, because rhizomes by definition are NOT bulbs (a rhizome is a modified root), but today the term "Bulbs" are often used to describe any time of modified storage organ (modified leaves, roots, tuber, etc)... so commonly speaking.. yes they are bulbs.
This message was edited Apr 17, 2005 5:08 PM
That is FASCINATING !!! Thank you. I never knew any of that.
I have iris there but I only remember planting the beared iris. Must be age again. I'm relieved that it's not likely more nasty surprises from the birds. Squirrels might have spread it around when they were digging last fall and that's why it's in so many places. I'm relieved that it's not likely more nasty surprises from the birds.
Someone on the Idenfication forum also suggested variegated solomon's seal, which I planted in a few places. So now I'm very much relieved that it's most likely that or the iris.
Thanks again!
