What is the name given to a bud or branch located along the length of a stem or branch?

The term "lateral" is used to describe a bud or branch that occurs along the length of a stem or branch. This kind of bud is positioned on the sides of the stem, which distinguishes it from a terminal bud, which is found at the very end of a stem or branch. Lateral buds are important in plant growth because they can grow into new branches or flowers, contributing to the overall structure and canopy of the plant. Understanding the position and role of lateral buds is essential for tasks such as pruning, training plants for specific shapes, or encouraging branching in nursery production.

In contrast, the terms terminal, accessory, and auxiliary refer to different aspects of plant structure. Terminal buds generally indicate growth occurring at the apex of a stem, while accessory and auxiliary are not standard terms used to describe the specific location of buds along stem lengths. This reinforces why lateral is the appropriate term for buds or branches positioned along the sides of a stem.