What is a cormel?

• A. A yellowing of leaves due to lack of chlorophyll
• B. Movement of soil components by wind or water
• C. A miniature corm produced on a short stolon from the base of a corm
• D. A chemical used to kill pests

Answer: (C)

A cormel is a miniature corm produced on a short stolon from the base of a mature corm, functioning as a baby corm for vegetative propagation. This small structure stores nutrients and can be separated and planted to grow a new plant. In many plants that form corms, such as gladiolus, the cormel appears on the stolon around the base of the main corm. The other options refer to different concepts: yellowing leaves from lack of chlorophyll is chlorosis, the movement of soil by wind or water is erosion, and a chemical used to kill pests is a pesticide.