Terminology

A bud is a small, developing part of a plant that will grow into a flower, a new leaf or a stem. They can be useful in the identification of plants and are often used for winter identification of woody plants.

Here are a few commonly used terms applied to buds:

• Accessory – An extra bud produced on ether side of an axillary bud.
• Adventitious – Used to describe a bud that develops some place other than a stem node. From roots or crown tissue or rhizomes.
• Axillary – When the buds are located in the axil of a leaf.
• Dormant – Non growing buds, where growth is delayed due to winter or dry conditions.
• Flower bud – A stem tip with embryonic flowers. Magnolia, Cherry.
• Lateral – Produced on the sides of the stems instead of at the ends.
• Leaf bud – A stem tip containing embryonic leaves.
• Mixed bud – Having both embryonic flowers and leaves.
• Naked – Not covered by a scaly covering.
• Pseudoterminal – Used for lateral buds that take over the function of the terminal buds, Common in persimmon.
• Reproductive – Having embryonic flowers.
• Scaly – Also called ‘covered buds’ which have bud scales that cover the embryonic flowers and/or leaves.
• Terminal – Buds at the ends of stems.
• Vegetative – Buds of embryonic leaves.

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