Which term describes the broom-like growth in woody plants?

The term that describes the broom-like growth in woody plants is "witches' broom." This phenomenon occurs when a plant experiences abnormal growth, often due to various factors such as infections from pathogens, environmental stressors, or genetic mutations. The growth typically results in dense clusters of shoots and leaves that resemble a broom, hence the name.

Witches' broom can be caused by several agents, including fungi, viruses, or insects, which disrupt the normal growth patterns of the plant. In some cases, it may not be harmful to the plant; however, it can also indicate underlying issues that may affect the plant's health and vigor. Understanding the causes and implications of witches' broom is important for managing plant health in horticulture, especially in Louisiana where specific environmental factors can contribute to such growth patterns.

Other terms like scorch refer to leaf damage due to environmental stress, endoparasitism pertains to a relationship where one organism lives inside another and derives nutrients at the host's expense, and non-pathogenic growth is a vague term that doesn’t specifically describe the broom-like structure seen in plants. Thus, witches' broom is the precise term that captures the unique characteristics of this growth form in woody plants.