Onion part?

Question

What is the function of the tunic of an onion? The tunic is the outer layer of an onion. The "skin" of the onion. What is it's function?

10 points for best answer. Links greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Onion skin , as the name implies is a protective layer .

What one calls onion bulb is concentric layers of fleshy leaf bases .

The outer layer is thin paper like and prevents dessication of the bulb as a whole .

If one removes this skin the shelf life of that particular bulb decreases rapidly and it is also open for infections .

Onion plant =

http://img.tfd.com/wn/A8/6B396-onion-pla...

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/ve...

Onion with skin ( Tunic ) ON =

http://www.ieoonions.com/images/sales/ye...

Onion with peeled skin =

http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/direc...

Concentric rings of onion leaf bases =http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/...

From = Botanist