Corm

A corm is a short, vertical, swollen underground stem of a plant (usually one of the monocots) that serves as a storage organ to enable the plant to survive winter or other adverse conditions such as summer drought and heat (estivation). A corm is typically surrounded by protective skins or tunics. Inside, a corm is mostly starch-containing parenchyma cells. Corms can be dug up and used to propagate or redistribute the plant (see, for example, taro).

Related Topics:
Plant - Monocots - Storage organ - Estivation - Parenchyma - Taro

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Externally, they are often similar in appearance to bulbs, and erroneously called by that name, but internally their solid tissue easily distinguishes them from bulbs, which are visibly layered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cultivated plants that form corms include;

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Many plants of the family Iridaceae grown for their flowers, including Crocus, Gladiolus, Iris, and Montbretia
• Many plants of several families grown as root vegetables; see that article for a list.
 
Corm: See also ►