At the leaf in the bosom: what are axillary buds

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The whole variety of bud types is divided according to different dominant traits, so the same rudimentary shoots can fall into different categories. Axillary kidneys are no exception. However, all of them are united by an invariable moment - being in the axil of a plant leaf.

Kidney as it is

Each bud is a rudimentary shoot with very short internodes. This is an extremely reduced and simplified future plant or part of it that has a specific function (for example, generative - future flowers and fruits).

Depending on the purpose, the kidneys differ in shape, size and structure. Some of them contain the rudiment of an inflorescence or a single flower - in the latter case they are called buds. Even a head of cabbage is a significantly overgrown bud.

On an already developing plant there are leaves and buds, as well as side shoots, the first of which begins with the so-called germinal bud and is called the main (first-order shoot). At its top there is a growth cone that allows you to lengthentall.

What is an axillary kidney

Axillary buds are called those buds that develop in the axils of the leaves of the plant. It is from the axillary buds that lateral shoots develop, which ensure the growth of the plant in width, its bushiness, and branching. Most often they are located just above the place where the leaf cutting is attached to the stem.

If a leaf falls, then a trace remains in its place, called a leaf scar. From this imprint and axillary buds, one can determine the places where leaves grow on trees. It will not be difficult even during their absence.

The location of the axillary buds repeats the pattern of distribution of leaves on the shoot and gives them some advantages - the leaf perfectly protects the embryonic shoots, and also supplies it with the necessary amount of photosynthesis products.

Based on what signs divide the kidneys

Kidneys are divided according to several characteristics and have corresponding names:

• According to the location on the body of the plant. The top is a terminal bud, the leaf axils are axillary, the rest of the plant is adnexal. Both axillary and adnexal are classified as lateral kidneys.
• By content and functions - vegetative, generative and mixed.
• By structure - closed and open (naked).
• According to the involvement in the development of the plant - active, dormant, as well as renewal buds.

Location of the axillary kidneys

Since the location corresponds to the axils of the leaves, then it is calledwill depend on the structure of the plant. Kidneys can be attached one by one or in groups. In the first case, the axillary kidneys may have the following location:

1. Opposite, that is, opposite each other on the run.
2. Alternating - attach to the stem in turn.
3. Whorled - several leaves simultaneously come from one point on the stem in the direction in different directions. Each corresponds to an axillary kidney.

The group arrangement of the described buds suggests the presence of several rudimentary shoots in the axil of one leaf. In this case, the placement is called serial. In this case, the kidneys are attached one above the other, and the lower one most often turns out to be the largest. And with collateral, a group of kidneys joins the shoot in one plane.

The functions of the kidneys and their contents

Apical and axillary buds, as well as adnexal, necessarily have a stem in its infancy. The presence of other organs embedded in the kidney determines its further functions. Depending on the purpose, all the kidneys (and basically they will be axillary, since they make up the predominant amount on the plant) can be divided as follows:

• vegetative - there is no future flower in the embryo;
• generative - consisting of a stem and a flower or inflorescence in the embryo state;
• mixed - in which there are elements of both future flowers and leaves.

Vegetative buds will always be slightly smaller andhave a less rounded shape (within the same plant species).

Kidney activity is also directly related to their role in the life of the main shoot. The opening ones immediately ensure successful actual life activity, and the renewal buds (wintering ones) are an adaptation of perennial plants to awakening in warm weather. Dormers develop slowly until the main plant is endangered. Any critical moment can force them to start behaving actively - pruning a tree, the death of a trunk or part of it.

External structure of the kidneys

Buds may differ in internal structure - it depends on the parts of the plant embedded in them, as well as the external coating, protection. The longer the kidney needs to maintain its vital potential, the more nature protects it. In most plants, the buds have special scales, and often they are glued together by a substance secreted by the plant (for example, coniferous resin). However, there are also unprotected kidneys that lack an outer hard protective layer (for example, viburnum).

Such structural differences apply to all types of plant buds.