Partially, yes. While a garlic bulb isn't solely a modified leaf, the cloves within it do contain modified leaves.
Here's a breakdown:
-
A garlic bulb is a composite structure.
-
Each clove within the bulb consists of:
- A vegetative bud (which can grow into a new plant).
- Two modified mature leaves that surround and protect the bud. These leaves are fleshy and store nutrients.
-
The entire bulb is encased in a sheath made up of the basal portions of dry, mature leaves.
Therefore, while the bulb itself isn't a single modified leaf, each clove contains modified leaves that serve as a protective structure and nutrient reserve for the developing bud.
