| In the plant world, the term 'bud'
is given to an embryonic or undeveloped shoot. Once
a bud forms, it can immediately grow into a shoot, or
even stay dormant for a period of time before developing.
Buds usually grow at the end of a plant
stem, or in the axil of a leaf.
In areas of the world with cooler climates, the bud
in ensconced by scales. These scales are actually modified
leaves that enclose the delicate bud. As the bud
grows, these scales fall off, leaving marks on the branch.
Each new growing season sees new buds, and therefore,
new scars. Just like you can tell the age of a tree
by the rings on a cross-section, these scars allow people
to determine the age of younger branches on a woody
plant.
Types of Buds
Just like any other part of a plant, there are many
different types of buds. Below are
descriptions of the different types of buds. An individual
bud can fall into several different categories.
Accessory
Accessory buds only occur when an axillary
bud is present. They grow on either side the axillary
bud.
Adventitious
Buds that grow on any place other than the stem node
are called adventitious buds. For example,
they grow on the roots, crown tissue, or on rhizomes.
Axillary
This is one of the most common types of buds. The axillary
bud grows in the axil of a leaf.
Dormant
A dormant bud is one that is not growing.
This is usually due to cold weather conditions. Buds
can also be dormant because of dry weather.
Flower
A flower bud is when embryonic flowers occur
on the stem tip. Examples of plants with flower buds
are the Magnolia and the Cherry Tree.
Lateral
Buds that form not at the ends of the stem, but on
the sides, are referred to as lateral buds.
Leaf
When the tip of a stem contains embryonic leaves, it
is called a leaf bud.
Mixed
A mixed bud, quite simply, contains different materials.
A mixed bud has both embryonic leaves and embryonic
flowers.
Naked
A naked bud does not have a scaled covering.
This normally occurs only in warmer climates.
Pseudoterminal
Being common on the persimmon plant, pseudoterminal
buds are actually lateral buds that have replaced
the function of terminal buds.
Reproductive
A bud that contains embryonic flowers is called a reproductive
bud.
Scaly
The buds mentioned at the beginning of this page are
scaly buds. These buds have protective covering
that fall off as they grow. Usually only occur in colder
climates.
Terminal
Buds that grow right on the ends of stems are called
terminal stems.
Vegetative
Buds that contain embryonic leaves are called vegetative
buds.
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