SOME CASES OF DELAYED OR INDUCED DEVELOPMENT OF AXILLARY BUDS FROM PERSISTING DETACHED MERISTEMS IN CONIFERS

In the apparently “empty” axils of the needles of Taxus baccata, Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Cryptomeria japonica, Thuja occidentalis, and Thujopsis dolabrata persisting detached meristems were found, which are derived from superficial layers of the apical eumeristem. In T. baccata delayed development of minute axillary buds occurs from these meristems after 1–4 yr on the intact plant. In the other conifers, development of additional axillary buds from these meristems was induced by natural frost damage or by artificial pruning and disbudding. The discovery of these detached meristems is discussed with regard to the regenerative capacity of the conifers in comparison to other plants.