Bulbs and corms

Bulbs and corms are underground storage organs that help plants survive unfavorable conditions, such as cold winters or dry periods. They store energy and nutrients, allowing plants to grow and bloom quickly when conditions improve. While they serve a similar purpose, bulbs and corms differ in structure.

A true bulb consists of layers of fleshy, modified leaves called scales. These scales store nutrients and surround a central growing point or flower bud. The basal plate, located at the bottom of the bulb, anchors the scales and produces roots. Examples of plants that grow from bulbs include tulips, daffodils, lilies, and onions. Bulbs are further categorized into tunicate bulbs, like onions, which have a protective papery covering, and imbricate bulbs, like lilies, which lack this covering and require careful handling.

Corms are solid, swollen underground stems that store nutrients in stem tissue rather than in modified leaves. They are covered by a protective tunic and feature buds or growth points on their surface. Unlike bulbs, corms do not have layers. Corms renew themselves annually by producing new corms or offsets atop the old ones. Plants such as crocuses, gladioli, and cyclamen grow from corms.

Both bulbs and corms allow plants to thrive in challenging environments and are popular in gardens for their ease of care and striking blooms. For successful cultivation, proper planting depth and well-drained soil are essential.