Axillary bud

[1]: 306 An axillary bud is an embryonic or organogenic shoot which lies dormant at the junction of the stem and petiole of a plant.

Axillary buds do not become actively growing shoots on plants with strong apical dominance (the tendency to grow just the terminal bud on the main stem).

As the apical meristem grows and forms leaves, a region of meristematic cells is left behind at the node between the stem and the leaf.

If the apical meristem is removed, or has grown a sufficient distance away from an axillary bud, the axillary bud may become activated (or more appropriately freed from hormone inhibition).

Like the apical meristem, axillary buds can develop into a stem or flower.

The axillary buds are highlighted in yellow.
Axillary buds are located at the intersection of the leaf and stem of a plant.
Example of an axillary bud. Axillary buds have the potential to form new shoots and become branches or flowers.
Axillary buds only develop if they're not exposed to high levels of auxin from the terminal bud.