158 



BRITISH PLANTS 



axils of the outer scale-leaves. The new bulbs are 

 enclosed by the scale-leaves of the parent for several 

 years until they become sufficiently big to burst the now 

 withered leaves, and separate as distinct plants. 



The structure of a typical corm can be observed in the 

 crocus (Figs. 61, 62). The swollen part consists entirely of 

 stem, enclosed by fibrous scales placed one above the 

 other, as in ordinary shoots. The apex of the stem is 

 occupied by one or more flower-buds, together with a 



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Q 



-c 



f 



e 



FIG. 61. CROCUS CORM IN BESTING 

 CONDITION, WITH ENVELOPING 

 SCALE - LEAVES REMOVED TO 

 SHOW SOLID STEM (e). 



a, bud ; 6, remains of previous year's 

 foliage-leaves ; c, axillary bud, 

 which later swells to form a new 

 small corm ; d, previous year's 

 corm, now shrivelled ; /, scar of 

 scale-leaf. 



FIG. 62. LONGITUDINAL SECTION 

 OF THE BUD SHOWN IN 

 FIG. 61. 



a, cover-scales ; b, foliage-leaves ; 

 c, flower ; d, axillary bud, which 

 becomes next year's flowering 

 shoot ; e, stem, which swells to 

 form next year's corm. 



number of young foliage-leaves, the whole being covered 

 by a series of white scales forming a large conspicuous 

 bud. During the vegetative period the part of the stem 

 from which the leaves and flowers arise becomes filled 

 with food drawn from the old corm and the foliage-leaves. 

 It gradually swells, and forms a new corm on top of the 

 old one. A bud in the axil of one of the foliage-leaves 

 becomes the flowering shoot of this new corm, whilst the 

 cover-scales of the original bud turn brown, and form the 



