Diversity of stems and the bud

A bud is an initial stem, i.e. a future shoot. Every shoot grows from a bud. A vegetative bud contains an initial leafy shoot; a generative bud contains an initial inflorescence or flower. A bud at the tip of a shoot is a terminal bud and one in a leaf axil is a lateral bud; adventitious buds also occur on roots and leaves. Buds are arranged on a shoot alternately, oppositely or in whorls. If a large bud (for example a poplar bud) is cut lengthwise we see dense bud scales outside and, inside, the initial stem and tiny initial leaves; the scales protect the bud from winter cold, microbes and fungi. Buds pass through winter dormancy and swell and grow in spring. In apricot, peach and almond the generative buds open and bloom first in early spring, and the vegetative buds open afterwards.