bulblet

[ buhlb-lit ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a small bulb or bulblike structure, especially one growing in the axils of leaves, as in the tiger lily, or replacing flowers, as in the onion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulblet¹

First recorded in 1835–45; bulb + -let

Example Sentences

When to harvest the garlic/onion family, Sorin says, depends on the variety you choose and your preference — whether you use the greens, wait for a bulblet, or grow a storage onion.

From Seattle Times

The problem with this is, as you mentioned, the bulblets are small and the bulbs themselves can be very deep.

From Seattle Times

After bloom time in April and May of each year, she digs the bulbs up to tease away the tiny bulblets that form on each side, readying them for fall planting.

From New York Times

Break off any small bulblets that have formed, because they can steal energy from the mother bulb.

From Seattle Times

Late-blooming garlic chives sported little white starbursts perched above nascent garlic bulblets, each one an explosion of pungency.

From Washington Post