40 



STEMS AND BUDS 



but three primary organs, roots, stems aud leaves, and that the 

 other so-called organs with which we are so familiar are moditi- 

 catious of these three. We have already studied the roots and the 

 stems, but before taking up the study of the leaves let us con- 

 sider the buds which are undeveloped shoots or stems. 



Fig. 31. — A newly opened leaf bud of the maple and the same bud dissected to show 

 graduation from scale to leaf. 



A leaf bud consists of a very short, undeveloped stem bearing 

 a compact mass of minute leaves. (Figs. 20, 21 and 31.) This 

 stem will elongate and the leaves grow to full size. It is then 

 known as a stem or shoot with its leaves. 



Flower buds are those which develop into flowers, but we 

 will learn later that flowers are made up of modified leaves on 

 short stems and therefore, it is not necessary to change our 

 definition of a bud. (Chapter V.) 



Location and Structure of Buds. — Buds are borne in the 

 axils, that is just above the point of union of the leaf to the 

 stem. In our northern climates they are produced a year in 

 advance of their development into shoots or fiowers and remain 

 over winter in a dormant or resting condition. In temperate 

 climates the buds are frequently spoken of as scaly buds becanse 

 the lower or outside leaves are modified as scales and serve to 



