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corm
An underground food and water storage structure that is similar in appearance to bulbs but dissimilar in structure. If a bulb is cut in half it will peal apart in layers of scale leaves, where as a corm will be solid. A corm is a short swollen underground stem surrounded by the previous years leaf bases. The adventitous roots will form from the base of the corm. The previous years corm will shrivel up as it's stored food reserves are used to produce the foliage and flowers for this seasons growth. A new corm will be formed above the new corm following flowering. Common corms are crocus and gladiolus.
Two views of a Gladiolus corm.
A glad corm dug in the fall showing the newly formwed corm and many small cromlets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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