bulbil

[ buhl-bil ]

noun

1. Botany. Also bul·bel [] bulblet.
2. Mycology. a rounded mass of fungus cells resembling a sclerotium but of simpler organization, most commonly produced by certain basidiomycetes.

bulbil

/ ˈbʌlbɪl; ˈbʌlbəl /

noun

1. a small bulblike organ of vegetative reproduction growing in leaf axils or on flower stalks of plants such as the onion and tiger lily
2. any small bulb of a plant
3. any small bulblike structure in an animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulbil¹

1825–35; < New Latin bulbillus, equivalent to Latin bulb ( us ) bulb + -illus diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulbil¹

C19: from New Latin bulbillus , from Latin bulbus bulb

Example Sentences

She recommended experimenting with Egyptian walking onions, which form bulbils that can be broken off and replanted.

From New York Times

But they also found the tiny star-shaped structures on the weed called “bulbils” that can sprout into new plants remained viable after treatment.

From Seattle Times

In reality, however, the grains are here replaced by bulbils which sprout before they separate from the inflorescence.

From Project Gutenberg

Liliums, Alliums, may be increased in four different ways—from offsets and "spawn," scales, bulbils, and, last of all, seeds.

From Project Gutenberg

It has long, narrow, flat, obscurely keeled leaves, a deciduous spathe, and a globose umbel of whitish flowers, among which are small bulbils.

From Project Gutenberg