Many plants are grown from tubers, which are modified plant structures used for storing nutrients. These plants can be broadly categorized based on whether they develop from modified stems or roots.
Here are some examples:
Stem Tubers:
- Potatoes: Perhaps the most well-known example, potatoes develop from underground stems.
- Yams: These are starchy staples in many parts of the world.
- Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes): These sunflower relatives produce edible tubers.
- Cyclamens: Popular for their unique flowers, cyclamens grow from stem tubers.
- Anemones: Some varieties of anemones grow from tubers, producing beautiful spring flowers.
- Begonias: Certain types of begonias are grown from tubers.
- Ranunculus: Known for their vibrant, multi-petaled flowers, ranunculus can be grown from tubers.
- Caladiums: Prized for their colorful foliage, caladiums are grown from tubers.
Root Tubers:
Root tubers are thickened roots that store nutrients. While they perform similar storage functions as stem tubers, they originate from root tissue.
It is important to note that while some plants have "tuberous roots," the term "root tuber" is generally preferred for botanical accuracy.
Examples of plants with root tubers include:
- Dahlias: Popular garden flowers known for their diverse colors and forms.
- Sweet Potatoes: Although often confused with yams, sweet potatoes are root tubers.
- Cassava (Yuca): A staple food crop in many tropical regions.
- Daylilies: Certain daylily varieties have thickened roots that resemble small tubers.
In summary, a variety of plants are propagated from tubers, including common food crops and ornamental flowers. These tubers provide the plant with stored energy, allowing it to survive dormant periods and regrow in favorable conditions.
