Which term describes shoots that develop from latent buds under the bark, often close to pruning wounds?

The term that describes shoots that develop from latent buds under the bark, often in response to pruning or injury, is "epicormic." Epicormic shoots emerge from dormant buds located beneath the bark of a tree or shrub, particularly when the plant experiences stress, such as pruning, damage, or changes in environmental conditions.

This phenomenon is a vital survival mechanism for the plant as it allows for new growth even in unfavorable circumstances. When a tree is pruned, the removal of branches can create wounds that stimulate these latent buds to grow, producing new shoots that can help restore the tree's structure and function.

The other terms listed serve different purposes or denote distinct processes. Germination refers to the process by which seeds sprout and begin to grow into new plants. Girdle typically describes a method of pruning or the effect of damage that disrupts the flow of nutrients in a plant, usually resulting in injury or death to parts of the plant. Ground cover refers to low-growing plants that spread across the ground, often used for erosion control or aesthetic purposes in landscaping. Each of these terms is related to plant growth or health but does not specifically denote the response to pruning that epicormic refers to.