Nov 06, 2011: View/download wallpaper size (1920х1440, 0,78 M). Mom prepared gladioli for winter storage. After taking off dirty dried scales, the corms (bulbo-tubers) appear to be so nice and smooth. When there are many of them in one place, they are fascinating. Some sources (I can tell nothing about trustworthiness of this information) say that in ancient times people used gladioli's corms as amulets (it was hanged on one's breast). They believed that the corm contains some great power. Of course, there is power, look how pretty they are, the enemy will die from envy when (s)he sees them ;) .

More often, it is reported that in ancient times the gladioli's corms were used for food and in traditional medicine. Looks quite probable. Afau, in those times people ate all sorts of bulbs and tubers they could find, except obviously poisonous ones.2011-November

genus Gladiolus, sword lily Gladiolus