corm

Underground stem storage

A corm is a short, thick underground stem that stores nutrients for a plant, enabling it to survive dormancy and sprout new growth.

Unlike bulbs, which have layered scales, corms are solid throughout.

Crocuses, gladioli, and taro grow from corms.

Dig up the corms before the first frost and store them for spring planting.

botany

tuber

Underground nutrient reservoir

bulbRounded storage organ
rhizomeHorizontal underground plant stem
monocotyledonSingle embryonic leaf plant

angiosperm · perennial · underground · storage · vegetative · propagation · taro · gladiolus · crocus · freesia

dormancy

overwinter

Survive the cold season

quiescenceState of being inactive
latentPresent but inactive
diapauseInsect developmental suspension

rest · survival · adaptation · energy · conservation · temperature · chill · cold · storage · metabolism

growth

sprouting

Seeds beginning growth

germinationSeed's initial growth phase
shootsFires or photographs
rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers

budding · propagation · division · offsets · nutrients · cultivation · replanting · multiplication · renewal · emergence

Categories

root vegetablescarrot, potato, beet, radish, turnip
bulbsbulb, tulip bulb, daffodil bulb, onion bulb, garlic bulb
rootstaproot, root system, root tip, fibrous root, primary root
plant biologyphotosynthesis, chloroplast, pollination, stamen, pistil
plant termstree, shrub, vine, herb, fern
plant propagationseed, cutting, bulb, runner, rhizome

Opposites

botanical storage structure type

cormbulb

Rounded storage organ

rhizome · tuber · stolon · taproot · runner

surface topography/shape

Prolonged low state

hollow · cavity · concavity · indentation · pit

plant anatomy: above vs. below ground

cormleaf

Plant's photosynthetic organ

flower · stem · shoot · frond · canopy

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G