Is an onion a root vegetable?

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by marlingardener, Jul 9, 2011.

  1. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    I have been under the assumption that onions are root vegetables. Are they? There is some discussion going on about this. My argument is:
    1.Onions form a bulb
    2.You eat the part that has roots attached, not something picked off the top (like peppers).

    Others say:
    1. Onions are not completely underground like potatoes.
    2. (They don't have a second argument).

    So, help me know the truth, and set me free!
     
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  3. Jewell

    Jewell Incorrigible Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Interesting question. Is the bulb part of the stem or part of the root? I would have gone with root until I started thinking about the make-up of the plant and how the roots come out of the bottom of the bulb. The bulb is like a fat part of the stem on the onion family.

    I will always think of the onions are part of the root crops, but I don't really know. Maybe some knowledgable person will enlighten us.
     
  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I found this on the internet:

    "What we call Root Vegetables aren't actually all roots: the category also includes other strangely named things such as corms, rhizomes and tubers. For instance, a potato isn't a root; it's actually a "tuber". Peanuts are "technically" Root Vegetables, because they are tubers that grow off a rhizome underground, but they are treated as a nut (and so would you be, if you went looking for them next to the parsnips.)..."
    Read more http://www.cooksinfo.com/root-vegetables
     
  5. Pricklypear

    Pricklypear Seedling

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    Great question. Unfortunately I don't have an answer---yet.
     



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  6. Pricklypear

    Pricklypear Seedling

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    I went looking and I was surprised that information I found wasn't really clear to me. I honestly don't understand it completely.

    But apparently the bulbs are modified stems.
     
  7. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Prickly, I found that the bulbs are "enlarged bases" of the grass like stems. It took me an hour going through books and the 'net, but basically we found the same information.
    I still think of onions as a root vegetable, though. I guess it only matters if you need to know how to fertilize (potash for roots, nitrogen for greenery).
     
  8. Pricklypear

    Pricklypear Seedling

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    Well, whatever else we might want to say about onions, they are delicious. Bulbs or fat stems--I love them.

    Grew onions and leeks from seed for the first time this year. They did really well. Easy to do after all. For some reason, I assumed it would be difficult.
     

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