A type of growth exhibited by many plants in which secondary shoots or branches arise behind the growing point but remain subsidiary to the main stem, which continues to grow indefinitely. The largest secondary shoots are furthest from the apex of the main stem and the size of the shoots decreases regularly towards the top of the plant. This results in the pyramidal form of growth typical of many conifers, e.g. the spruce (Picea). The secondary shoots also tend to show the same pattern of branching along their length. Compare sympodial branching. |
