Sympodial branching

<p>In <a href="/facts/Botany/PaIRoxnb">botany</a>, sympodial growth is a bifurcating branching pattern where one <a href="/facts/Branch/byMv8JP3">branch</a> develops more strongly than the other, resulting in the stronger branches forming the primary <a href="/facts/Shoot_(botany)/ML2z0pru">shoot</a> and the weaker branches appearing laterally. A sympodium, also referred to as a sympode or pseudaxis, is the primary shoot, comprising the stronger branches, formed during sympodial growth. The pattern is similar to <a href="/facts/Dichotomous_branching/RjjcIGWp">dichotomous branching</a>; it is characterized by branching along stems or <a href="/facts/Hyphae/xogd3AHz">hyphae</a>.
</p><p>Sympodial growth occurs when the apical <a href="/facts/Meristem/YlMKp2W5">meristem</a> is terminated and growth is continued by one or more lateral meristems, which repeat the process. The apical meristem may be consumed to make an <a href="/facts/Inflorescence/CvpNd4vS">inflorescence</a> or other <a href="/facts/Indeterminate_growth/XnjjfoAs">determinate</a> structure, or it may be aborted.
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Sympodial branching open-in-new

Sympodial branching