Fig. 6. Photomicrographs and schematics of terminal bud apex development during one growing season in adult female reproductive plants. By March, axillary buds were well developed close to the SAM (A). By April, the SAM was surrounded by several newly formed scale leaves (B); by July, by several scale leaves with axillary bud primordia (arrows) (C); and by October, by scale leaves located above well‐developed lateral buds (D). Amongst these buds and further down, future male strobili can be seen (see schematic). By December, the SAM was surrounded by several scale leaves above well‐differentiated axillary buds (E). On the right of the figure, the main events occurring between each sampling period are represented. AB, Axillary buds; BP, bud primordia; S, scale leaf; ss, scale leaves with empty axils; pp, pith parenchyma.