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What are Plant Tubers?

By Marie Iannotti, About.com

Definition: Tubers are basically swollen, underground plant parts that store food. There are two types of tubers:
  1. Root Tuber An enlarged root that stores food for the plant and from which shoots will grow.

  2. Stem Tuber The enlarged tip of a food storing rhizome or underground stem.
Also Known As: Tubers are sometimes grouped in with flowering bulbs.
Examples:
Dahlias are a good example of root tubers. Examples of stem tubers are Tuberous begonia, cyclamen.

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