By analysis of pyruvic acid and sugar levels in bulbs, leaf sheaths, and leaves, and with regard to phyllotaxis, it was shown that the lower portion of each plant component had the greatest pyruvic acid content, the upper portion less, and the middle portion the lowest. When bulb scales were examined, pyruvic acid content was lowest in the second bulb scale from the papery scale. Pyruvic acid level increased toward the inner portion of the bulb. Pyruvic acid levels in leaf sheaths and leaves were greater than those in the bulb during the early stages of bulb growth. However, at harvest, the pyruvic acid content of bulbs increased slightly, whereas those of leaf sheaths and leaves decreased markedly. Tissue sugar contents were similar at the beginning of bulb growth. However, bulb sugar content increased greatly as the bulb grew, and sugar contents of leaf sheaths and leaves decreased. With respect to phyllotaxis, outer older leaves had the lowest total sugar and pyruvic acid contents. Young leaves showed a tendency to have less pyruvic acid and sugar compared with mature leaves.