the growth of a flower that has completed its development. The axis of the flower elongates, and a vegetative shoot or new flower forms. Prolification may occur if an unused portion of the apical meristem remains after flower formation. Certain conditions stimulate differentiation and further development of the apical meristem. Inoculation of a graft with flower buds of apple and mazzard on a strong stock often results in prolification. Prolification is an ordinary phenomenon in rose, strawberry, and pineapple plants. Sometimes buds in the axils of petals and sepals grow into new shoots; in such cases an inflorescence or branched shoot is formed. Prolification is also observed in female cones of sago palms and in the cones of conifers.