bulblet

9.1

A small bulb-like growth on a plant, often in lilies or onions, that can grow into a new plant

noun
/ˈbʌlˌblɛt/

Specialized

: bulbillo

To propagate them, simply remove some of the bulblets and plant them where you want new onions to grow.
small bulblets
bulblets at the top

Examples

The gardener separated the bulblets from the parent plant to grow new lilies.
If bulblets are not harvested, they become so heavy that the leaves bend, and the bulblets fall to the ground and take root.
Many ornamental onions produce bulblets in the leaf axils during late summer.
Some species form bulblets instead of flowers, aiding in their propagation.
The bulblet sprouted from the base of the onion.
Many bulblets can form on a single lily plant.
The bulblets measure only 1/2 to 1 inch in length and look like miniature purple-red onions.

Synonyms

bulbil

vsbulblet

Specialized

9.9

A small bulb that grows on a plant and can become a new plant

is typical on lilies and onions rather than focused on propagation ability

Compounds

bulblet bladder fern

Specialized

9.9

A North American fern with small bulbs on its leaves

bulblet fern

Specialized

9.8

A North American fern that makes small bulbs on parts of its leaves

Surface Forms

bulblet singular

bulblets plural

Morphology

bulblet = bulb (transparent) = bulb + let

This is a straightforward diminutive formation meaning 'a small bulb'.

Etymology

Bulblet comes from bulb, the round part of a plant that stores food, and the small ending -let meaning 'little'. So a bulblet is a 'little bulb', a tiny bulb-like growth plants make to grow new plants.