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Glite Dictionary
pseudobulb

pseudobulb

9.9
A thick part of an orchid stem that stores water and food
  • noun
  • /ˈsuːdoʊˌbʌlb/
  • Specialized
: pseudobulbo
  • The orchid's pseudobulb stores water efficiently.

Examples

  • Orchid growers often check the pseudobulb for signs of dehydration.

  • Many orchids have a thickened pseudobulb for nutrient storage.

  • Each pseudobulb can produce one or more leaves and sometimes flowers.

  • The pseudobulb helps the plant survive periods of drought.

  • Each pseudobulb can produce one or more leaves and sometimes flowers.

  • Orchid growers often check the pseudobulb for signs of dehydration.

  • The pseudobulb helps the plant survive periods of drought.

Surface Forms

pseudobulb singular
pseudobulbs plural

Morphology

pseudobulb = bulb (semi-transparent) = pseudo + bulb

The word is clearly built from pseudo- plus bulb, but the botanical sense is specialized and not fully predictable for a learner from the components alone.

Etymology

Pseudobulb combines pseudo- ('false') and bulb, so it literally means a 'false bulb'. A pseudobulb looks like a round bulb but is actually a thick part of the stem that stores water and food for orchids, which explains its use today.