Identification: indoor plant with bulb-like stem

I have an indoor plant the base of which is very enlarged, almost like an eleplants foot. It narrows at the top and a large spray of thin, strap-like leaves emerges from the top of this bulb-stem. I am assuming that this plant conserves water in the stem base. Any ideas of what this plant is? Thanks! marian Weiss

 

Try Beaucarnea recurvata--Ponytail Palm.

Bill

 

(Elephant-foot tree... :)

 

it could be a ponytail palm. could be a pregnant onion.

can you post a picture?

you're correct in that the bulbous part (the caudex) will hold moisture...so, you don't need to water it too, too much. and let the soil dry out between waterings.

 

IF it is a Beaucarnea recurvata, it has a few common names. Ponytail palm, bottle palm, elephant-foot tree. (agave Family)

 

Thanks to you, and to all who responded! Marian

 

If the stem isn't exactly like an onion bulb, then it really isn't bulb-like at all.

There are many shrubby plants with thickened bottle-shaped or rounded trunks and they are properly called pachycauls.

You probably have Beaucarnea recurvata, a very common plant in cultivation. There are other species of Beaucarnea less often grown.

Beaucarnea is among several genera now included in an expanded concept of the family Ruscaceae. It never fit well in the Agavaceae.