Overview:
– Woody plants in temperate or cold climates have buds protected by scales made of modified leaves.
– Bud scales are covered by a gummy substance for added protection.
– Scales drop off as the bud develops, leaving scars on the stem that indicate age.
– Naked buds lack scales and can be excessively hairy.
– Buds can be terminal, lateral, or adventitious, appearing in various locations on the stem.
Types of buds:
– Buds are useful for plant identification, especially in winter.
– Buds can be classified by location (terminal, axillary, adventitious), status (accessory, resting, dormant), morphology (scaly, naked, hairy), and function (vegetative, reproductive, mixed).
– Terminal buds are at the tip of a stem, while axillary buds are in leaf axils.
– Resting buds lie dormant until the next growth season.
– Scaly buds are covered by transformed and reduced leaves, while naked buds lack scales.
Classification of buds:
– Buds help in plant identification, particularly in winter.
– Buds are categorized by location, status, morphology, and function.
– Terminal buds are found at the tip of a stem, while axillary buds are in leaf axils.
– Dormant buds remain undeveloped for an extended period.
– Scaly buds are protected by transformed and reduced leaves, while naked buds lack scales.
Bud development:
– Buds assist in plant identification, especially in leafless seasons.
– Buds can be classified by location, status, morphology, and function.
– Terminal buds are located at the stem tip, while axillary buds are in leaf axils.
– Resting buds remain dormant until the next growth season.
– Scaly buds are covered by transformed leaves, while naked buds lack scales.
Significance of buds:
– Buds aid in plant identification, particularly in the absence of leaves.
– Buds are categorized based on location, status, morphology, and function.
– Terminal buds are situated at the tip of a stem, while axillary buds are in leaf axils.
– Dormant buds stay undeveloped for a prolonged period.
– Scaly buds are shielded by transformed leaves, while naked buds lack scales.
In botany, a bud is an undeveloped or embryonic shoot and normally occurs in the axil of a leaf or at the tip of a stem. Once formed, a bud may remain for some time in a dormant condition, or it may form a shoot immediately. Buds may be specialized to develop flowers or short shoots or may have the potential for general shoot development. The term bud is also used in zoology, where it refers to an outgrowth from the body which can develop into a new individual.
