Difference Between Corm and Bulb

Differences between Bulb and Corm lie in their structure and composition. Though both are modified underground stems, bulbs and corms have many differences. Corms are swollen stems storing food reserves, while bulbs consist of layers of modified leaves storing nutrients for growth.

Corms and bulbs are involved in vegetative propagation in plants. Corm examples include crocus and gladiolus plants and Bulb examples include tulips and onions. In this article, we will read the difference between bulbs and corm in detail.

What are Bulbs in Plants?

A bulb is an underground storage organ made up of modified, fleshy leaves covering a short, swollen stem base. Monocotyledonous plants, which are designed for food, water storage, and reproduction, produce bulbs. Oxalis is the only dicot genus capable of producing bulbs. To distinguish between bulbs and other forms, horticulturists refer to them as true bulbs. There are two types of bulbs

• Tunicated Bulbs
• Compound Tunicated Bulbs

In a tunicated bulb, the fleshy scale leaves are attached to the reduced stem and some of the outer scale leaves become dry and form an outer layer known as Tunic. In compound tunicated bulbs, the individual scale leaves are known as Bulbets or cloves forming 2 or 3 concentric rings around the central axis.

Examples of Bulbs:

• Tulips
• Onions
• Daffodils

What is Corm in Plants?

Another kind of underground storage organ is a corm, which does not have modified leaves’ protective outer layers like bulbs do. Rather, a corm is a nutrient-storing solid, bulging stem base. A corm contains a ring of thick, fibrous roots around the base, several buds near the top, and a tuft of leaves on the upper side. The terminal shoot, which frequently develops into leaves or a flowering stalk, is found at the apex of the corm.

Corms consist of a basal plate at the bottom and one or more growth tips on the top. Cormous plants can reproduce through corm segments, cormels, or new corms. A mother corm often produces two to three baby corms as well as fifteen to twenty cormlets, or small corms.

Examples of Corms:

• Crocus
• Gladiolus
• Taro
• Colocasia

Difference Between Corm and Bulb

There are several differences between Corn and Bulb which includes:

Characteristics	Corm	Bulb
Shape	It has solid, fleshy underground stem growing vertically. It is spherical, elongated and compressed.	It is spherical or pyriform.
Structure	It is usually unbranched, round and swollen stem base with scaly leaves.	Consist of short convex disc, from the upper surface of which fleshy scale leaves arise.
Type	It is underground stem modification.	Condense shoot that grow underground.
Stem	Enlarged and swollen	Conical
Buds	External buds.	Buds internal and remain covered with fleshy leaves.
Adventitious root	Developed all over the stem.	Develop downward from the bulbous disc.
Example	Colocasia, crocus.	Onion, Garlic
Food storage	It contains a heavy deposit of food material in stem.	Food is stored in the fleshy leaves.
Tunic	It is absent	It is present
Nodes	Circular nodes are present.	Distinct nodes are present.
Cork	It is surrounded by cork.	Cork is absent. Bulb are covered by layer tunic.
Growth and propagation	Usually on the sides or above the stem.	New bulbs are replaced by old ones.

Conclusion – Differences Between Corm and Bulb

Though bulbs and corms both act as underground storage organs for plants, there are significant differences between corms and bulb. A corm is a thick, swollen stem that the plant uses to store energy and nutrients. It is frequently utilised for both reproduction and survival. In contrast, a bulb is made up of layers of succulent leaves that encircle a central stalk and act as a storehouse for water and nutrients.

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FAQs on Differences Between Corm and Bulb

What’s the Difference Between a Bulb and a Corm?

Corms are enlarged underground stems that store nutrients, surrounded by papery outer layers. Corms are solid tissue, whereas Bulbs are immature layers of leaves.

Is Potato a Bulb or Corm?

An onion is a true bulb, while a potato is a tuber.

What is Corm?

Corm, bulbotuber is a short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ that some plants use to survive winter or other adverse conditions.

What are Corm Vegetables Examples?

Total 4 crops found in category Corm vegetables- Chinese water chestnut, Elephant foot yam, Konjac, Taro.

What Is a Bulb Vegetable?

Bulb vegetables, such as garlic, onion, and leek, add flavour to casseroles, broths, court-bouillons, and soups.

What are Two Corms Examples?

Crocus: A type of flowering plant, this is a common and well-loved perennial and Gladiolus: Another well-loved flower.

What is the Use of Bulbs and Corms?

Corms store starches to fuel growth and to help plants survive unfavourable conditions. Bulb is commonly used to describe geophytes, or plants that produce specialized underground stems.

How do you Identify Bulbs and Corms?

True bulbs have a roundish shape with a pointed top and flat bottom, basal plate, and scales but a corm, tuber, tuberous root, or rhizome.

What is the Difference Between Bulb and Tuber Class 7?

The difference between bulbs and tubers lies in their structure and function: bulbs are underground storage organs composed of layers of modified leaves surrounding a central bud, while tubers are thickened underground stems or roots that store nutrients for plant growth.