Fig. 15.

Short shoots are characterized by short internodes and successive growth units (Prunus avium, A). They are frequently associated with lateral (A) or terminal (Cedrus atlantica, B) reproductive organs. Short shoot type may be linked to position in the leaf axil in the case of supernumerary buds (Gleditsia triacanthos, C). In some conditions a short shoot can dedifferentiate into a long shoot (Larix decidua, D; Malus domestica, E). Even the very specialized brachyblast of Pinus species (P. nigra, F) may transform into a long shoot after stem traumatism (white cross). White arrows indicate the transition between two successive growth units.