axillary bud

References

Images

apical meristems

Eudicotyledonous plant

axillary bud

plant anatomy

Also known as: lateral bud

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

apical meristems — apical meristems Figure 3: Apical meristems. (Left) The shoot apical meristem of Hypericum uralum appears at the topmost aspect of the stem. Immediately behind the apical meristem are three regions of primary meristematic tissues. (Right) The root apical meristem appears immediately behind the protective root cap. Three primary meristems are clearly visible just behind the apical meristem.

An axillary bud, also known as a lateral bud, is a bud that forms in the axil of a leaf, which is the angle between a petiole (leaf stalk) and the stem. These buds have the potential to develop into new shoots or branches.123

The development of axillary buds is influenced by the main stem's growth, a phenomenon called apical dominance. The terminal bud at the tip of the main shoot often inhibits the growth of axillary buds. However, if the terminal bud is removed, the axillary buds can resume growth and develop into lateral shoots. This process is crucial for plant branching and overall structure.342

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

plant development
Branching of the shoot
…a stem—that is, in a leaf axil. In some plants, buds may also form from the older parts of shoot or root remote from the main apices; these buds, termed adventitious, do not conform to the general plan.
Read More
…a stem—that is, in a leaf axil. In some plants, buds may also form from the older parts of shoot or root remote from the main apices; these buds, termed adventitious, do not conform to the general plan.
Read More

angiosperm
Stems
Lateral branches develop either from axillary, or lateral, buds found in the angle between the leaf and the stem or from terminal buds at the end of the shoot. In temperate-climate plants these buds have extended periods of dormancy, whereas in tropical plants the period of dormancy is either very…
Read More
Lateral branches develop either from axillary, or lateral, buds found in the angle between the leaf and the stem or from terminal buds at the end of the shoot. In temperate-climate plants these buds have extended periods of dormancy, whereas in tropical plants the period of dormancy is either very…
Read More

stem
Growth and anatomy
…formed leaf is called an axillary bud, and it, like the leaves, is produced from the tissues of the stem. During the development of such buds, vascular bundles are formed within them that are continuous with those of the stem.
Read More
…formed leaf is called an axillary bud, and it, like the leaves, is produced from the tissues of the stem. During the development of such buds, vascular bundles are formed within them that are continuous with those of the stem.
Read More

tree
Tree height growth
Besides terminal buds and axillary buds formed in the axils of leaves, buds may form outside the apical meristem. This is called adventitious growth. When a bole of a tree that has been shaded for a number of years is suddenly exposed to light, new buds, called epicormic buds,…
Read More
Besides terminal buds and axillary buds formed in the axils of leaves, buds may form outside the apical meristem. This is called adventitious growth. When a bole of a tree that has been shaded for a number of years is suddenly exposed to light, new buds, called epicormic buds,…
Read More