Which of the following represents the edible swollen portion of Allium cepa ?

Options

A. Aerial stem
B. Underground stem
C. Internodes
D. Leaf bases

Answer

To determine the edible swollen portion of Allium cepa, commonly known as the onion, follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Plant**: Recognize that Allium cepa refers to the onion plant. Understanding the basic structure of the onion is crucial.

2. **Understand the Structure**: The onion plant consists of various parts, including stems, leaves, and roots. It is important to differentiate between these parts.

3. **Identify the Edible Part**: The edible portion of the onion is not the aerial stem or the underground stem itself, but rather the fleshy parts that are modified leaves.

4. **Focus on Leaf Bases**: The swollen portion that we consume is made up of the leaf bases. These leaf bases are fleshy and surround the underground stem.

5. **Eliminate Incorrect Options**:
- **Aerial Stem**: Onions do not have a significant aerial stem that is edible.
- **Underground Stem**: While onions have underground stems, they are not the edible part.
- **Internodes**: Internodes are sections of the stem between nodes and are not edible.

6. **Conclude the Correct Answer**: The correct answer is the leaf bases, as they are the edible swollen portions of the onion plant.

### Final Answer:
The edible swollen portion of Allium cepa is the **leaf bases**.