Difference between Corm and Bulb

Plants modify their stems in a variety of ways to suit their adaptation demands. Rhizomes, bulbs, corms, and tubers are underground stems that resemble the roots of plants, but nodes and internodes, leaves, and buds distinguish them. Stems have been adapted by nature to accomplish roles like food storage, plant support, protection, and vegetative growth. Geophytes are the plants that fall within this group. Following a period of vigorous growth, both corms and bulbs require a period of rest. Bulb examples include garlic, while corm examples include crocus, gladiolus, autumn crocus, and so on.

Key takeaways: Corm, Bulb, Roots, Bud, Stems, Food

What is Corm?

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Several plants have a corm, which is a swelling subterranean plant stem modification. During one growing season, Corms are designed to store nutrients and food that the plant can use later. They aid in the production of various plant parts such as roots, leaves, and flowers in preparation for the plant's next growing season.

Cormlets or individual corms are used to reproduce corms. These cormlets can be split from the parent plant to create perfect replicas. The look of corms is flattened or somewhat spherical. Under the earth, roots can sprout from the corm base. The parent corm usually dies back, and the corm lets it become the plant's source the following year. The corm collects nutrients and has membranous to scaly leaves. It preserves them for the following season. For vegetative multiplication, the corm can be separated and moved to various sections of the garden. Classic corm examples include gladiolus, crocus, and crocosmia.

Corm

What is Bulb?

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Bulb is another stem alteration. This type of stem is found on most perennial monocotyledons, and it serves as a resting place for their seeds. A bulb is characterized by a huge, central bud that grows underground and is usually shaped like a globe. A bud grows from the bulb's center, producing leaves and flowers. It also has fleshy or membrane leaves that grow from a short stem. The bulb base sprouts a clump of adventitious roots. The bulb's branches emerge from the lateral buds. The leaves are where all the plant's food is stored. As the bulbs become older, they are replaced by new bulbs.

Apart from garlic, the onion is the best example of a bulb. Bulb plants include lilies, tulips, and hyacinths. Some bulbs, such as the lily, tulip, and iris, are grown for their decorative blossoms.

Bulb

Also Read: Nodes and Internode

Differnce between Corm and Bulb

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The difference between corm and bulb is listed below:

Things to Remember

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• Corm and bulb are underground stem adaptations that have been developed for food storage and to survive in harsh environments.
• Corms are swollen underground stems that serve as food storage for the plant while it is dormant.
• It has a spherical shape with a flattened base, and it grows vertically below ground.
• An underground stalk with fleshy and scale-like layers encircling a central bud is known as a bulb. 
• A cluster of adventitious roots makes up the bulb's base. The bulbs' shoots emerge from the lateral buds, and their leaves have the ability to store food. 
• An apical bud, located in the bulb's center, produces leaves and flowers.

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