Jim, There is a similar persistent bulb growth axis in the genus Ledebouria. A few L. species have remarkably thick, persistent, elongating "bulb plates." I am most familiar with the thinner persistent axis found in L. socialis. I grow about ten clones of L. socialis as houseplants, and most of these multiply to such an extent as to hide the persistent bulb growth axis. And when taking one of these dense clumps apart it is easy to mistake these persistent axes as rhizomes. They can be branched, have roots, or bulbils which have yet to become side branches or be dislodged. In one clone these bulb stems are 2-3 inches in length, 1/8 inch in diameter, with relatively long flexible internodes, and persistent dry bulb scale/leaf bases. This form has fusiform (elongated) bulbs and the stem axis extends up into the bulb. The bulbs tend to sprawl because of the flexible bulb stems. Another clone with rounder bulbs has bulb stems about 1/4 inches in diameter with very short internodes and enough strength to support their terminal bulbs 1- 2 inches above surrounding offsets. This one is almost self-cleaning of old leaf bases. I have not found a term for this type of persistent bulb stem. Happy Holidays to all. Fred Boutin Tuolumne, CA > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > >