A node is the place on a stem where a lateral meristem develops as either a lateral bud or a secondary shoot, often subtended by a leaf. The parts of the stem between nodes are referred to as internodes.

When a shoot has nodes and discernable internodes, it is caulescent.

When the internodes are reduced in such a way that the plant looks stemless, the stem is called acaulescent. This can be seen e.g. in cabbage (Brassica).