Cormous

Cormous is a botanical term used to describe plants that produce corms as their primary underground storage organs. A corm is a swollen, vertical stem that stores nutrients and helps the plant survive adverse seasons. Unlike true roots or tubers, corms are stem tissue, typically possessing a tunic or papery outer layer and a basal plate from which roots and shoots emerge. During the growing season a flowering shoot and leaves develop from the crown, and after the growth period the old corm often withers while one or more new corms form to carry the plant into the next cycle.

Cormous plants differ from bulbous species in structure and growth habit. Bulbs consist of layered leaves (scales) surrounding a central shoot, whereas corms are more compact stems with a solid interior. Tubers, by contrast, arise from swollen roots or stolons and do not have the vertical stem structure of a corm. Some species produce smaller corms, called cormels, on the surface of the parent corm, enabling vegetative propagation.

Common cormous plants include genera such as Gladiolus, Crocus, Freesia, and Colchicum. These plants typically grow in climates with a distinct dormant period and resume growth when conditions become favorable again. Propagation is often achieved by separating mature corms or cormels and replanting them at appropriate depths.

Ecology and cultivation notes: well-drained soil and a dry dormant period support healthy corm development. Planting depth, nutrient management, and timing of dormancy are important considerations for gardeners and horticulturalists working with cormous species.